The Iyade Oshoja Royal Family and its Estate have requested Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to investigate a N22.779 million demolition charge demanded by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA). This charge is for a distressed building located at 1, Simbiat Abiola Way, Ikeja, scheduled for demolition. The family claims to have engaged Archistruct Nig. Enterprises, a firm of architects, engineers, and builders, to supervise the demolition professionally.
The dispute centers on the legitimacy of the N22.779 million charge and which law or approved tariff authorizes it. The Iyade Oshoja Royal Family, through their lawyer, Yetunde Fashesin-Souza, has urged the governor to review the demand and require LASBCA to provide an itemized breakdown. They seek clarification on the legal basis for the charge, an itemized assessment, and specification of the services or expenses covered.
Fashesin-Souza also requested that Sanwo-Olu direct the relevant authorities to disclose whether LASBCA will carry out the demolition or if the owner's appointed professionals will do the work under the agency's regulatory supervision. The family's concerns suggest broader implications for Lagos property owners dealing with distressed structures, particularly regarding charges for removal through qualified professionals.
According to a 1 July 2024 letter to the General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Engr. Olawale Sulaiman assured that the demolition would follow relevant engineering procedures and comply with safety, health, and environmental requirements. The engineer confirmed that his firm, Archistruct Nig. Enterprises, was acting for the Iyade Oshoja Royal Families and their Estate.
The family is not arguing against regulatory oversight but seeks clarification on what regulatory service LASBCA is charging for, whether that service is mandatory, and how it calculated the N22.779 million. This situation raises questions about the charges that may legally be imposed when owners arrange removal through qualified professionals and how those charges should be calculated and disclosed.
The Iyade Oshoja Royal Family's request for an investigation into the LASBCA's demand highlights the need for transparency in the agency's charges. The family's lawyer emphasized that the outcome could have implications beyond the Ikeja property, affecting other property owners in Lagos who may face similar situations.
The Lagos State government has yet to respond to the Iyade Oshoja Royal Family's request. The case underscores the importance of clear communication and transparency in regulatory charges, particularly in the context of property demolition and safety.
Key points
- The Iyade Oshoja Royal Family seeks an investigation into LASBCA's N22.779 million demolition charge.
- The family questions the legal basis and itemized breakdown of the charge.
- The case may have broader implications for Lagos property owners dealing with distressed structures.
