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RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO AVOID BUILDING DEMOLITION IN LAGOS BY DENNIS ISONG
RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO AVOID BUILDING DEMOLITION IN LAGOS BY DENNIS ISONG
Sahara Weekly Reports That The Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to uniformly applying the law during the ongoing demolition of unauthorized structures in Lekki Phase II and the surrounding areas. One of the most awful events that can happen to anyone is investing millions in properties only to be demolished by the government later.
This begs the question of why the government waswatching while construction was going on and had to wait till it became something worthwhile before coming to destroy it. One thing we should understand is that, there are some marked up areas and the government knows what they are doing. Unfortunately, land sellers are duly aware but they try very hard to shield you from this information because of the money they hope to gain from its sales. If you are a victim, I sympathize with you. In order not to fall victim again, I will highlight the things you should watch out for.
Recommendations
1. Avoid land close to drainage canal:
Land near drainage canals is susceptible to flooding during heavy rains. Poor drainage systems can exacerbate this issue, leading to water damage to properties and posing a risk to the safety of inhabitants. Drainage canals can contribute to soil erosion, particularly during heavy rain events. This erosion can undermine the stability of buildings’ foundations, which was a factor in the demolition of some structures in Lagos. In many areas, there are regulations and building codes that prohibit construction too close to drainage canals due to the associated risks. Non-compliance can result in legal issues and property demolition, as observed in Lagos. Proximity to drainage canals can lead to safety concerns. In some cases, poor maintenance of these canals can result in accidents or structural damage. Real estate located close to drainage canals may have reduced property values due to the associated risks and inconveniences.
2. When getting building approval,also get drainage approval. In Lagos State, building approval and drainage approval are two distinct but interrelated processes that property developers and builders must go through when planning and constructing a new building or structure.
Building approval refers to the legal authorization granted by the Lagos State Government or relevant local authority to undertake construction or renovation of a building. It involves a thorough review of architectural plans, structural designs, and construction details to ensure they comply with building codes, safety standards, and zoning regulations. Building approval is crucial to ensure that structures are constructed safely, with proper planning, and in accordance with the law.
Drainage approval, on the other hand, pertains to the permission granted by the relevant authorities to manage the drainage and sewage systems associated with the building. It involves assessing how the building’s drainage, sewage, and wastewater systems will interact with the overall drainage infrastructure of the area. This approval is essential to prevent issues like flooding, erosion, and environmental contamination, which can result from inadequate drainage planning.
By obtaining both approvals in tandem, developers can help mitigate the risks associated with inadequate drainage, such as flooding and erosion, and ensure that their construction projects are both safe and environmentally responsible. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive planning and compliance with local building and environmental regulations in Lagos State.
3. Follow the recommended setback “At Ikota, the level of encroachments is just unimaginable; people have built on the canal path and we resolved that these nuisances cannot be allowed to continue; it just had to stop,’’ Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab(culled from Premium Times).
Following the recommended setback is crucial when building in Lagos to avoid the risk of demolition and legal consequences.
A setback in building terms refers to the minimum required distance between a building or structure and a property boundary, road, or other buildings. Lagos, like many urban areas, has specific building regulations that stipulate these setbacks. Lagos has zoning and building codes that mandate setbacks for safety, aesthetics, and urban planning.
Failing to adhere to these regulations can lead to legal violations and demolition orders. Setbacks are often designed to ensure that buildings have adequate spacing between them, allowing for proper ventilation, fire safety, and emergency access.
Disregarding setbacks can compromise safety. Encroaching onto neighboring properties due to insufficient setbacks can lead to property disputes and legal actions, potentially resulting in building demolition to resolve boundary conflicts. In some cases, setbacks are established to protect public infrastructure like drainage systems. Failure to comply can disrupt these systems, causing flooding and further legal consequences.
4. Government should employ the right staff with the right attitude in all the control agencies related to building.
This emphasizes the importance of having qualified and motivated personnel in government agencies responsible for overseeing and regulating building-related activities. It underscores the need to hire individuals who have the necessary knowledge, education, and expertise in fields such as architecture, engineering, urban planning, and building inspection.
These professionals are essential for making informed decisions and assessments regarding building construction, safety, and compliance with regulations. Beyond qualifications, the right attitude is vital. Government employees working in control agencies related to building should be diligent, honest, and committed to their responsibilities.
They should prioritize the public interest, safety, and the enforcement of building codes and regulations.
Employing staff with the right attitude ensures that these agencies maintain a strong focus on quality control. It helps prevent corruption, negligence, and favoritism, which can compromise the safety and integrity of buildings.
The right staff can provide efficient oversight of construction projects, ensuring that they meet safety and environmental standards. This oversight is essential to prevent substandard construction, which can lead to disasters and costly corrections. When control agencies are staffed with qualified individuals who have the right attitude, it fosters public trust.
Citizens are more likely to have confidence in the government’s ability to regulate and enforce building standards effectively.
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More than ₦3 billion was targeted, but about ₦677 million reached the culprits, with recovery and prosecutions underway, reflecting how banks are responding to more sophisticated fraud risks.
Nigeria’s expanding digital banking sector is facing increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts, as financial institutions adapt to faster transactions and broader online services.
A recent case involving First City Monument Bank (FCMB), linked to fraudulent activity detected in December 2025, has drawn attention to how banks are responding to such incidents, with a focus on limiting exposure, recovering funds and working with law enforcement.
According to findings referenced in proceedings before the Lagos State Special Offences Court, the incident involved unauthorised transactions tied to a digital product. Early reports erroneously suggested more than ₦3 billion was lost. Subsequent clarification shows that over ₦3 billion was targeted, ₦2.4 billion was blocked and recovered, while ₦677 million got into the possession of the culprits. This outcome reflects the bank’s cyber security and monitoring capabilities, as well as improved collaboration among regulated financial institutions and with law enforcement agencies. Several suspects and beneficiaries have been apprehended, while recovery and prosecution efforts are ongoing, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Proceedings at the Lagos State Special Offences Court have resulted in convictions, including that of a repeat offender, with restitution orders issued. Related matters are also being handled at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where additional suspects are being tried in connection with the scheme. This process is aimed at ensuring that bad actors are identified and permanently blacklisted from the financial system.
Authorities say recovery efforts are continuing as additional funds are traced.
Analysts note that the pace of legal action reflects closer coordination between financial institutions and enforcement agencies in addressing cyber-related financial crime.
The case comes as banks contend with more complex fraud methods, including social engineering and automated exploitation of system processes.
As digital products and platforms expand, so too does the risk associated with cyber-crime and related fraud.
“The scale of digital banking means risks are evolving alongside the systems,” said a Lagos-based financial analyst. “Institutions are now judged by how they manage these events.”
Observers say the sector is moving toward a stronger focus on response and recovery, rather than prevention alone.
This includes improving monitoring capabilities, strengthening transaction controls and enhancing collaboration with regulators and law enforcement. The FCMB case, with limited exposure relative to the amount targeted and ongoing recovery, reflects that shift.
For customers, the primary concern is the safety of their funds. In this case, there has been no indication of losses affecting customer deposits. Maintaining that level of protection remains central to sustaining trust in the financial system.
Nigeria’s financial sector continues to grow, supported by digital innovation and expanding access to banking services.
However, analysts say fraud attempts are likely to persist as systems become more complex and interconnected.
They say institutions will increasingly be judged not only on their ability to prevent incidents, but on how effectively they respond and recover when they occur.
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Ex-APC Deputy Guber flag bearer, Joshua MacIver backs Tinubu, express fears over implosion in Bayelsa APC
….congratulates new State Party Chairman, Warman Ogoriba
APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa State, Great Joshua MacIver has declared his total commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu come 2027, declaring that the Tinubu re-election project is non-negotiable.
Great Joshua MacIver, in his statement titled ” BAYELSA APC CONGRESSES: GOING FORWARD, A CALL TO LOOK INWARDS” and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, warned APC leaders in the state to look Inward and take note of certain factors which may hinder or cut short our victory.
According to Great Joshua MacIver, such noticeable pitfalls include the imbalance in the united front being put up by the State Governor,Senator Douye Diri among various political blocs in the state.
In the statement issued at the weekend. Great Joshua MacIver stated that “First, before His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, joined the APC in the state, there were clearly two political blocs that made up the party, with the approximate population ratios of the blocs standing at 95% to 5%.”
“After the entrance of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, ONLY THE SMALLER BLOC IS BEING CARRIED ALONG IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE PARTY, leaving the greater percentage to their fate, and this situation has the potential to build anger and dissatisfaction in our dear party.”
” The consequence of this has been the high level defection we have witnessed in the party recently and we believe more may likely follow, if we do not put our house in order.”
” If we do not pull together as a party, we may witness a situation where we will lose key stakeholders, especially after the State and National Assembly Primaries as well the Gubernatorial Primaries.”
“Finally, while it is very clear that we are the party to beat in the 2027 elections and that our loyalty to Mr. President IS NON-NEGOTIABLE, we must make haste to say that we cannot afford to create situations or loopholes in our unity which will be exploited by other political interests in the state. We cannot afford to under-rate anyone.”
“Our core interest remains the re-election of Mr. President, a project to which we have committed our all. We also pledge our total loyalty to the party as we have no alternative to the APC. However, our concern is that we must, as a party, look inwards and ensure that we do not create loopholes that can impede our common goal.”
Great Joshua MacIver, however congratulated the newly elected State Executives of the APC in Bayelsà State led by Hon. Warman Ogoriba, saying their emergence is welcomed at this critical time in our national history.
At least 23 people were killed in a series of suspected suicide bombings, police in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri said on Tuesday.
https://www.stanbicibtcbank.com/nigeriabank/personal/products-and-services/all-loans/stanbic-ibtc-mreif-home-loans
More than 100 other people were injured in the blasts that took place on Monday evening in the capital of Nigeria’s restive Borno state.
No group has claimed responsibility for the suspected attacks.
The deadly blasts come after a military post was attacked overnight Sunday to Monday, which authorities blamed on suspected Islamist militants.
This sad incident is coming barely two weeks after Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church specifically warned against attacks in some states. He mentioned these states while calling on security operatives to pay close attention to them.
These were his words:
“Another attack is coming up in these following states where the military must watch carefully and intelligently; Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, Kwara and Kogi state. They want to do a deadly attack, it’s preventable but it depends on how they will handle it. I have told you about the danger coming up.”
@primateayodele
Unfortunately, some of our military agencies don’t believe spiritual intelligence can save the country from so much danger hence, their neglect of this prophetic warning but now, it has been fulfilled with the miliary losing credibility by the day while Primate Ayodele continues to gain momentum.
Likewise, At least 26 passengers and crew sustained varying degrees of injuries on Monday following an accident involving the Kaduna–Abuja train, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Opeifa explained that the train departed Rigasa in Kaduna at 7:15 a.m. and was approaching Asham station around 9:16 a.m. when a loud bang was heard after the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the passenger coaches.
In July 2025, Primate Ayodele asked nigerians to pray not to see train mishap on the Kaduna-Abuja route.
@primateayodele #nigeriantiktok🇳🇬 #fulfillment #train #abuja #primateayodele
“Let’s pray not to see train mishap in Abuja-Kaduna, Kaduna-Abuja route.”
This has also been fulfilled.
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