Agboyi-Ketu LCDA Chairman Clarifies Controversial Market Demolition: “We Never Ordered It”

Agboyi-Ketu LCDA Chairman Clarifies Controversial Market Demolition: “We Never Ordered It”

Lagos, Nigeria – The Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mayor Dele Oshinowo, has addressed growing concerns and accusations surrounding the recent demolition of a market within his jurisdiction, clarifying that neither he nor the local government sanctioned the action.

Speaking in a recorded interview, Oshinowo explained that the demolition, which occurred on March 6, took him by surprise. “I was told around 5:30 a.m. that the Lagos State Building Control Agency was demolishing the market. I never ordered such, and I didn't believe it until I received another call around 7:30 a.m.,” he said.

Upon visiting the scene with other local officials, Oshinowo said he was obstructed from intervening. “I was chased away while trying to stop the demolition,” he recounted. The chairman immediately reported the matter to the governor and proceeded to petition the Attorney General and the AIG Zone 2, leading to the deployment of mobile police officers.

According to Oshinowo, state authorities later claimed the demolition was based on a Supreme Court judgment dating back to a land dispute first filed in 1994 and concluded in 1998. He emphasized that the local government had no knowledge of the judgment and had recently been issued a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) by the Lagos State Government for a 26.6-hectare parcel of land, of which only 4.4 hectares were awarded to the claimants by the court.

Oshinowo maintained that the demolition was not sanctioned by his office and accused a federal legislator of politicizing the matter to incite unrest. “She went to the market on a political mission, inciting traders against both the local and state governments,” he alleged.

The chairman denied claims that the land was handed to private developers, stating that any demolition that occurred was executed by the legal claimants based on the court ruling, not by the council. “I have not given any land to developers,” he insisted.

He also clarified that the local government intends to rebuild and manage the market, countering reports that traders would be allowed to reconstruct it independently. “We have the right to build and manage the market. That is what we are going to do,” he affirmed.

On the issue of representation, Oshinowo defended his role at a meeting convened by the Attorney General, emphasizing that as chairman of the LCDA and custodian of the C of O, he had the legal authority to speak on behalf of the market, not individual leaders or traders.

Mayor Oshinowo concluded by urging the public not to be misled by politically motivated narratives. “We have no interest in demolishing any market. My efforts are aimed at preparing a solid foundation for the next administration,” he said.