Owners Of Demolished Buildings In Trade Fair Complex Had No Approval – Lagos State Government

The Lagos state government has declared that the owners of structures in the Trade Fair Complex, as of September 25, lacked any form of approval for their buildings.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, announced this in a statement issued today, October 1.

Omotoso made these remarks in response to statements from former Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, who, along with some South East leaders, visited the Trade Fair Complex on Monday, September 30.

During his visit, Obi condemned the demolition of the structures. In a statement released afterward, Obi claimed the buildings were demolished despite the traders having secured the necessary approvals prior to constructing them. He noted that some traders had even obtained loans and other financial facilities to establish their businesses, which have now been razed by the government.

He wrote: ”Today, alongside Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Col. Austin Akobundu, Tony Nwoye, Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Segun Sowonmi, George Adegeye, Labour Party Lagos State Gubernatorial candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and coordinator of the Obidient Movement Tanko Yunusa, we visited the site of the demolished ASPAMDA Market at the Trade Fair in Lagos, where plazas were pulled down despite traders having obtained the requisite approvals.

I must commend the traders for their remarkable restraint and calm in the face of such painful loss. I equally appreciate the Senators and the House of Representatives members who have pledged to investigate this matter thoroughly and bring to light the circumstances that led to this unfortunate development, and most importantly, ensure that the situation does not occur in the future.

Beyond this immediate case, I urge government at all levels to act with compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of justice, especially at this difficult time. Many of the affected traders invested heavily – often through loans – in the hope of securing their livelihoods and contributing to the wider economy. To destroy such legitimate investments without due process is not only unjust but also economically destructive.” Obi stated after his visit.

However, in a statement released today, the state Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, clarified that, contrary to widespread belief, the demolished buildings had never received government approval.

‘’Obi wrong on Trade Fair Complex

Ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has visited the Trade Fair Complex where Lagos State Government enforced its Physical Planning Laws.

He praised the traders for what he called their “restraint”, adding that the buildings that were knocked down had approvals.

He launched into emotional theatrics, describing the incident as “a test of impunity, justice and compassion” – all in an effort to mislead the public by misinformation and disinformation. This is unfair.

Here are the facts of the matter: The owners of the building have no approval.

They got ample time to regularise their papers when the state government declared last year a general amnesty, which was extended several times. The owners shunned the offer. When Physical Planning officials visited the complex, the gates were locked against them; they were beaten up. The police rescued them. When the government called the owners for talks, they said they would not come; they did not come.

Their defence is that the Management Board of the Trade Fair permitted them to build their structures. This is wrong. The board, which is a creation of the Federal Government to manage the complex, does not have powers to approve or regulate building developments within the complex independent of Lagos State Government. Physical Planning and building approvals are within the remit of State Governments. Under the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992, as domesticated by Lagos State’s Physical Planning and Development Regulations), all physical development in any part of Lagos must obtain planning permit/approval from the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

This position was further clarified and reinforced by The Supreme Court judgment of 2003 (Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation) that land use and physical planning fall under concurrent jurisdiction, and states retain the authority to regulate development control within their territories, including federal lands, except for core areas like military formations or exclusive federal enclaves.

The Trade Fair Complex Board may manage leases, tenancies, and commercial activities, but any construction, alteration, or development still requires Lagos State planning permit. Otherwise, such developments would be deemed illegal under state law, and the Lagos State Government has the power to seal or demolish them.

In other words, the Management Board can allocate spaces and give administrative consent, but building approvals must pass through Lagos State Government.

We must decide the kind of society we want – one governed by law or one run by emotions, fueled by political interests.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli