The Lagos State Building Control Agency has launched an investigation into a four-storey building constructed beside the residence of the late human rights icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, in the upscale GRA area of Ikeja.
LASBCA disclosed the move after a protest by Fawehinmi’s loyalists and followers, who raised concerns that the structure posed a threat to his historic home, on Friday.
The building, which reportedly fails to maintain the mandatory three-metre setback from Fawehinmi’s property, has drawn strong criticism from leading lawyers and activists.
Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, Clement Onwuenwunor, and several others, during the protest demanded the immediate demolition of the building.
The SANs argued that the building not only breached planning regulations but also endangers the safety, privacy, and dignity of the Fawehinmi family.
They cited repeated incidents involving a 1,000-litre water tank installed on the building’s rooftop, which they claimed had collapsed three times into Fawehinmi’s compound, damaging vehicles and other property.
Speaking during the protest, a SAN, Clement Onwuenwunor, disclosed that multiple letters had been sent to the Lagos State Government and the developers without eliciting any official response.
A copy of one such letter, dated May 8, 2024, and addressed to the Governor, Attorney-General, and project stakeholders, was sighted by our correspondent.
During a visit to the site, our correspondent observed a LASBCA notice dated April 24, 2025, posted on the building, marking it for contravention.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, LASBCA’s Public Relations Officer, Adu Ademuyiwa, confirmed the agency’s intervention.
“We have marked the site and served notices. We have also given the developers a date to address the contraventions. LASBCA is fully on top of the matter,” he said.
However, the developers have insisted that they followed due process.
Head of Projects at Nouveau Projects Ltd., the construction firm handling the building, Morakinyo Abolude, maintained that all necessary permits were obtained before the project commenced.
“The building has been occupied since September 2024. All our approvals are in place. We do not build without authorisation,” he said.
Abolude also refuted claims that the rooftop water tank had collapsed multiple times.
“It fell only once, during a heavy rainstorm, and at that time, no car was affected,” he added.
On the allegation of insufficient setback, he explained that measurements were carried out from ground level and complied with regulatory standards.
“It feels like intimidation. Don’t they want neighbours? Unfortunately, you can’t dictate what a neighbour does on his land if he is following the law,” Abolude said.(Punch)
