Senator Victor Umeh, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and representative for Anambra Central, has condemned the recent demolitions at Lagos’s Trade Fair Complex, calling the action by the Lagos State Government illegal and beyond its jurisdiction. He asserted that the Commissioner for Physical Planning acted unlawfully by razing structures at a federal establishment that falls under the management of the Federal Government.
Umeh explained that the Trade Fair Complex is federal property, overseen by federal agencies rather than the state. Federal lands are recorded in the Federal Land Registry in Ikoyi, not in the Alausa registry used for state lands. Consequently, he argued that Lagos authorities had no legal basis to intervene on federal property. The Trade Fair Management Board, he noted, is solely responsible for administering the complex, including approving developments, setting property rates, and collecting ground rent.
According to Umeh, the demolitions were carried out without notifying the Trade Fair Management Board or the traders, even though all buildings on the site had been approved by the board. He dismissed claims that the structures were erected on canals or drainage areas without permission, describing the incident as an “intrusion” by the Lagos State Government. The senator emphasized that the country operates under the constitution and a set of laws, and that the Commissioner should not have acted without regard to legal authority.
The episode has raised questions about the jurisdiction of state governments over federal properties and underscores the need for clear delineation of responsibilities between federal and state agencies. It has also sparked debate over the protection of investments and property rights in Nigeria. As the situation develops, attention will turn to how the Lagos State Government responds to Umeh’s criticism and what measures will be taken to address the concerns of the affected traders and property owners.
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