Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has faulted the recent demolitions at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, describing the action by the Lagos State Government as illegal and a clear breach of jurisdiction.

“What the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State did was an affront and a breach of the law.”

Speaking on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, Senator Umeh criticised the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State for what he termed an unlawful exercise of power.

“The issue is about dealing with human beings with consideration of the law. The country is governed by the constitution and a set of laws,” Umeh said. “I am disappointed to hear that the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State came to justify his illegal action.”

According to him, the Trade Fair Complex remains a federal establishment under the management of the Federal Government.

“The Trade Fair Complex is the subject matter where the Lagos State Government moved in with heavy machines to destroy people’s investments and buildings without justification,” he stated.

He explained that, “Federal lands are under the control of federal agencies, not the state government. There are federal lands and there are state lands. If you go to Lagos, any property belonging to the Federal Government is recorded in the Federal Land Registry in Ikoyi, not in the Land Registry in Alausa.”

Umeh, who is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, said the Lagos authorities had no legal grounds to act on federal property.

“What the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State did was an affront and a breach of the law,” he said.

He further clarified that the Trade Fair Management Board has been solely responsible for the administration of the complex, including approvals for developments, property rates, and ground rent collection.

“The Lagos State Government has never gone there to carry out any of those functions until about two weeks ago when they moved in to bring down the buildings on September 25,” he noted.

Describing the incident as “an intrusion,” the senator said neither the board nor traders were notified before the demolitions.

“They were also shocked that the Lagos State Government could move into that place without notice. Even the traders were not written or questioned over anything,” he said.

He dismissed reports that the affected buildings were constructed on canals and drainages without approval, insisting that “All those buildings that were erected there were approved by the Trade Fair Management Board.” (Channels TV)