A non-governmental organisation, Spaces for Change, has released report of its fact-finding mission on the October 12 demolition of Signature Villa Estate.
A statement by the NGO, highlights some of its findings, which include regulatory failure on the part of Lagos State government and negligence from property buyers.
The fact-finding mission, a joint effort with the Communities Alliance against Displacement (CAD), read partly: “We are suffering for the sins we know nothing about, a victim of the recent demolition of properties in the luxurious Signature Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos, lamented beside the ruins of his former home. Amidst tears, confusion, and despondency, other victims of the demolitions took SPACES FOR CHANGE around the demolished areas, narrating their recent ordeal and their surreal journey from shelter to homelessness.
“On October 12, 2023, the Lagos State Government carried out a demolition operation, resulting in the destruction of more than 25 completed terraced buildings and various structures along the Ikota drainage channel, leaving numerous families without homes. What transpired in the esteemed Signature Villa Estate in Lekki, Lagos? Who authorized the demolitions? What circumstances led to the demolitions? Who granted the building permits that allowed these constructions to proceed? Did innocent purchasers for value overlook due diligence? Who should be held accountable for the errors made and the losses incurred by the victims?
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“To uncover the answers to these pressing questions, Spaces for Change | S4C and the Communities Alliance against Displacement (CAD) jointly undertook a fact-finding mission to the Signature Villa Estate within Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos, on October 18, 2023. Here, we present the findings of our investigation, shedding light on the facts and the existing gaps.
“One of the pressing concerns raised by this unfortunate incident is the apparent lapse in oversight by regulatory bodies such as the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), which allowed building structures such as Signature Villa Estate to be constructed in violation of regulations.
“Eye-witness accounts and testimonies from the victims themselves suggest that the developers and marketers of these properties have failed to conduct transactions with the current “owners” in good faith, leading to these devastating consequences.
“Additionally, our investigations have unveiled considerable lapses in basic due diligence processes. Many buyers failed to conduct thorough due diligence on the property acquisitions and neglected to secure the necessary documentation, leaving them vulnerable to losses.
“The unfortunate demolition of Signature Villa Estate is yet another sad testament to the persistent issues in housing and urban governance within Lagos State. In response, Spaces for Change and CAD call for the following actions:
- The Lagos State Government must take immediate steps to address corruption within its ranks and ensure the strict enforcement of environmental and building standards to prevent such incidents from recurring.
- The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria is urged to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of this demolition case and hold their members implicated in the demolition accountable for their actions that resulted in the loss of homes and properties.
- Prospective property buyers and homeowners are strongly advised to exercise caution and conduct comprehensive due diligence before finalizing property transactions to safeguard themselves against potential financial losses.”
