Group Petitions LASBAC Over Alleged ‘Missing Property File’, Threaten Legal Action

The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has issued a final two-week ultimatum to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), demanding an official response over the alleged disappearance of a file relating to a seized property at Flour Mill Estate, Badagry.

HURMA’s Executive Director, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, in a letter addressed to the LASBCA’s General Manager, expressed disappointment over what it described as the agency’s failure to respond to its repeated inquiries since December 2025 regarding the status of the property.

Buna said several letters sent to LASBCA have gone unanswered, while repeated visits to the agency allegedly yielded the explanation that the case file could not be located. 

HURMA further claimed that officials advised its representatives to “wait forever” and stop making inquiries about the matter.

The rights group said it was referred back to LASBCA by the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for resolution, but alleged that the agency had failed to cooperate.

HURMA described the situation as a serious case of administrative negligence and alleged that the missing file could point to conspiracy or sabotage capable of depriving citizens of their lawful property rights. 

The group also cited public allegations that some officials collaborate with landlords to evict tenants and demolish properties without due process, although it did not provide evidence to support those claims.

The rights body argued that such actions, if established, would amount to a violation of the constitutional right to property and fair hearing guaranteed under Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution.

HURMA demanded that LASBCA, within 14 days, produce the missing file, provide a written update on the status of the seized property, investigate how the file went missing, sanction any officers found responsible, and formally respond to its earlier correspondence.

The organization warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would prompt it to escalate the matter through petitions to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State House of Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant authorities, while also pursuing legal action.

Copies of the letter were forwarded to the Governor of Lagos State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Lagos State House of Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission.