‘We had nothing to do with demolition of Peter Obi’s brother’s house in Ikeja’- Lagos Govt

The Lagos State Government has denied any official involvement in the demolition of a building belonging to a brother of a politician, Peter Obi.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso,  in a statement on Thursday, clarified that neither the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) nor any other arm of government executed the demolition.

It would be recalled that Obi, a former presidential candidate, had accused unidentified agents of demolishing a property owned by his younger brother in the Ikeja area of Lagos, without any valid court order or legal documentation.

Obi took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday to share details of the incident, claiming the structure had stood for more than 15 years and that the operation was executed by “unidentified persons acting on a vague court judgment” that neither named his brother nor included demolition instructions.

He recounted his arrival at the scene around 10 a.m., only to be barred entry by security personnel.

He said they cited an unspecified court order, but could produce no documentation or details. Workers with excavators proceeded with the demolition regardless.

Obi described the event as “coordinated lawlessness” and “impunity,” questioning, “If this can happen to someone with a registered company and legitimate ownership, what hope does the average citizen have?”

The unfolding collapse of the structure took place under the eyes of Obi, who stayed on site for several hours attempting to get clarity.

He said those executing the takedown could not even identify who commissioned the action.

According to Obi, “No one was served. No name was written,” and the contractor didn’t know who had issued the order

Prominent public figures expressed outrage. Gbadebo Rhodes‑Vivour called it a “total shame” and criticised a “pattern of irresponsibility… normalised by the parasitic culture of the ruling party,” while activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju wondered, “What kind of politics is this… not allowed to remove his property?”

Responding to the incident, Omotoso reaffirmed that buildings in Lagos are not demolished without strict adherence to due process.

He said, “We follow the law in Lagos State. No building can be removed without due process,” adding that he had consulted relevant agencies and would get back with updates

LABSCA spokesperson Adu Ademuyiwa denied their agency’s involvement, stating, “We are not the one who demolished the house; it is not from us.”

Likewise, LASPPPA’s representative, Abimbola Edmin‑Umeh, said she had no awareness of the incident and requested that any enforcement papers or contravention notices be presented to determine proper agency jurisdiction

Meanwhile, Architect Gbolahun Owodunni Oki, FNIA, Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, has been tasked to lead a comprehensive investigation via LASBCA to determine what exactly happened.

Commissioner Omotoso emphasised the government’s stance, declaring they “will not tolerate any acts of lawlessness or violations of extant laws,” and that any individuals or groups found culpable would face justice.

It has now emerged that the person who demolished Peter Obi’s brother’s house is a woman named Mrs. Deborah Olorunlogbon.

She had filed a suit No: ID/4378LM/2023 against unknown persons who allegedly trespassed on the land she got from the Federal Government in 2023.

She told the court the trespassers and squatters refused to quit the property despite her persistent demand.

Judgment was later delivered by the court, empowering the woman to take possession of the property.

A demolition was then executed under Form O (Execution of Judgment) in compliance with the judgment delivered by the Lagos State High Court.