The Lagos State Commissioner of the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has slammed Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central, over the recent demolitions at Lagos Trade Fair Complex.

Umeh had described the demolition exercise as unlawful and outside the bounds of Lagos State's authority.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Umeh criticised the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning, calling the demolition a blatant violation of legal procedures and an infringement on due process.

“The country is governed by laws and the constitution. I’m disappointed that the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State came on air to justify an illegal action,” he stated.

According to him, the Trade Fair Complex is a federal property managed by the Federal Government through the Trade Fair Management Board, and therefore not under Lagos State’s control.

“The Trade Fair Complex is a federal establishment where the Lagos State Government moved in with heavy machinery to destroy people’s properties and investments without justification,” Umeh said. “Federal lands are managed by federal agencies, not state governments. Such properties are recorded in the Federal Land Registry in Ikoyi, not in the Lagos Land Registry in Alausa.”

Umeh, a distinguished member of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, boldly asserted that the state's government lacks the jurisdiction to intervene in federal land matters. He pointed out that the Trade Fair Management Board has consistently overseen all administrative responsibilities, such as granting development approvals, collecting property rates, and managing ground rent.

“The Lagos State Government has never performed any of these duties there until about two weeks ago when they moved in to demolish buildings on September 25,” he said.

The senator called the demolitions an “intrusion,” explaining that neither the board nor the traders were given any prior warning.

Umeh dismissed rumours suggesting that the buildings were constructed on canals or without proper authorisation, affirming that every structure had received the necessary approval from the Trade Fair Management Board.

Reacting, Commissioner Wahab brought the senator's memory to similar demolitions carried out by two governors in his Southeast region, wondering why he never questioned the legality.

Wahab shared on X, "When it comes to Lagos State, every Tom, Dick and Harry has an opinion. Was it illegal when Gov. @alexottiofr removed contraventions in Abia State? Was it also illegal when Gov @CCSoludo also removed contraventions in Anambra?

"Here in Lagos, every of our actions is backed by the law and we stand by it all. We remain committed to enforcing the laws without distraction, irrespective of whose ox is gored!"

ASA