Boss Picks
Nigeria Needs Revolution – Onyekachi Ubani
By Eric Elezuo
A public commentator, Barrister Monday Onyekachi Ubani, is the second Vice President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), and can easily said to be one voice anyone can testify is authentic. His views on political, social and economic situations of the country are reference points in national discourse. In this brief chat, he reveals his in-depth opinion of the Nigerian nation, President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance as well as the way forward for the country. Excerpts:
Kindly introduce yourself
My name is Onyekachi Ubani. I am a legal practitioner. I am the second Vice President of NBA.
As second vice president of NBA, do you nurse any ambition to be the president of the association one day
Well, every human being has a desire to be higher than what he is presently, and if God keeps us alive, there’s hope one day that I will aspire to be the president of NBA. It is a legitimate desire. I will even aspire to be the president of Nigeria someday, God willing.
You were one of the vocal voices against the past administration. Today, your voice seems to have gone quiet. What is the reason?
No, my voice has not gone quiet, the point is that I became too busy and reduce my level of visibility. You know, at that time, I wasn’t in the position I am in today. Like this week, I am going to Abuja and from Abuja I will go to Kenya. So, most times I am not around to be active like I used to be, both on radio and television. But this August by his grace I should be relinquishing my position as vice president. Then I will have some time for myself and for the country as we approach the election coming up next year.
Are you not re-contesting?
Yeah, our tenure is for two years. We were elected in 2016 and in 2018, it is two years. After handing over, I will have much time for myself, my family, and especially for my practice. And also, I write a lot on my social media; Facebook and all. There used to be a radio where I was a regular guest: Radio Continental, but it has been changed it to a musical radio station. Right now, I am yet to find a permanent radio platform to air my views but my views are on the social media for now.
Okay, let’s assume that this is a radio platform. Can you make a comparison between the former administration and this current one based on your critical position of the last one?
The last administration didn’t do well in terms of tackling corruption as a cancer. They seem to have encouraged corrupt activities. A lot of money was taken, and this we can see in recent revelations and all that. There were so many areas where the government of President Goodluck Jonathan did not show competence as one who was clearly in charge. Those who do not like Nigeria took over his administration and he did not do what we had expected somebody with his level of education and knowledge to do. So that was why some of us were very critical of that government.
For the present government we had expected this government to do certain things in certain ways, but they also deviated. I wanted a president that will be more fatherly, that will take everyone along and will be so seriously concerned when the citizens are crying, especially in the area of economy, security and others.
Well, I hear that the railways are being revived, a new national carrier coming up and some level of improvement in power situation. They said power has improved somehow, but we need to have it more permanently. We need to know what they have done in terms of decentralizing power and make it more efficient because we can say we are generating some megawatts and tomorrow we are going back to darkness. So, we must know what structure is being built in place that will become more enduring so our factories, industrial areas and homes will be permanently powered. There are things some of us who critically brought this government to power through vocal and serious advocacy have expected them to do but they have not done much as we had expected.
But we cannot use this government to compare to the last government because the last government has some shortfalls that were clearly irreparable but this government is trying to pick them up with some results we now see.
Could you itemise the areas of failure.
Well, I must say there are areas we have patted ways; areas bordering on issues of respect to human rights, rule of law, judgment of courts, the issue of insecurity, especially that of herdsmen killings and the way it has been handled. All these left so much to be desired and we wanted more proactive measures to have been taken by the government in order to deal with the situation but there was lethargy among other things that have happening within the government circle.
There were so many areas where the government of President Goodluck Jonathan did not show competence as one who was clearly in charge. Those who do not like Nigeria took over his administration and he did not do what we had expected somebody with his level of education and knowledge to do. So that was why some of us were very critical of that government.
But as the election is coming up, I don’t think the government will show any form of lethargy anymore because they know the people have their PVCs and are ready to change anyone who is not working in their interest. By and large, we can see that there are some results coming a bit late but it is better late than never.
But what has improved so far
The people are complaining. The economic situation has not improved. The level of poverty is still high. Though not necessarily caused by this government there are some things they should have done for the masses. When this government came in, one of the advice I gave to President Buhari even on radios is that he must not close his ears to the sufferings of the people or the crying of the people. He should listen and do certain things that will ease their suffering. Since Nigeria got political independence, the poor masses hasn’t enjoyed anything rather it is the rich that has monopolized virtually everything. It is important you listen as well as remain with the people. But that advice was not taken. Most of the economic policies are contrary to the will of the people. You can see the high level of unemployment, you can see the level of poverty, you can see the level of hunger in the land, you can see that people are suffering and businesses are collapsing. Even those of us in the profession; the situation is harsh. The economic climate is harsh. Nothing much has improved for the betterment of the people.
During the days of Jonathan, they said everything ends on the table of the president. Where does the bulk end now?
There’s no other place you can place the bulk. It ends with the president. You are coming with the matter of change, and in three years, the level of poverty has increased and the level of unemployment has not been addressed. So, the bulk stops at the table of the president. He has not managed the economic situation in such a way that ensures that people get out of poverty. There is high level of poverty but note that there is a history. However, I’m not going to lay so much blames on the previous government because that’s why we got them out and brought this this government. We got them in to correct those mistakes the previous government made, but they continued and even increased the level of affliction.
During the 150 days Mr. President was away sometimes ago, the vice president was acting and a lot of people said that there was a kind of change. Do you share that sentiment?
Yeah, there are some things the vice president did in order to get the economy going. One is the issue of the foreign exchange. Remember it was escalating and it was like there was no solution. From 160, it skyrocketed to almost 500 before some measures were taken that actually made it remain at 360. Even at that, it is still very high but it would have been bad if it entered 1000 to a dollar. That intervention by the vice president was very critical and helpful. Also, in dealing with the militancy in the South-South, he went there in person, and made them to look at the positive side of things; that really helped and most of them withdrew their antagonism and lay down their arms. The economy was actually crumbling. The vice president’s intervention in stopping the destruction of oil pipelines was very critical and brought some level of turnaround. He did well. If he had been allowed to continue, we would have got us out of challenges of the economy by now hopefully.
But wasn’t there team work. Most people have thought that when the president returns, he will continue in the stride, but everything went back to what happened before.
Well, the point is that everyone has a style. I’m not too sure that if the vice president is in charge of the country, he would retain some of the ministers till now. But the final say on who is retained and who is not lies with the president. There are some certain ministers that shouldn’t be in office by now.
Like who and who sir?
Well, if I tell you some of the ministers he should have sacked, you will…(laughs) I am not the president. Wait till I become a president.
Yeah, you can tell us. The people will like to know
Yes, we are the people. One of the ministers I would have kicked out of my cabinet would have been the Minister of Sports. He would have gone out a long time ago. The man that is in charge of Science and Technology, I don’t know. .. even the one in agriculture. What is the Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria doing? They’ve not engineered any farm produce to feed Nigerians or anything, and the man is a farmer. I don’t know why I should retain (Audu) Ogbe as a minister.
The president recently signed an executive order that has to do with seizing property of suspected corrupt officials without trial. What is your take in that sir?
I don’t know under what law that was brought into being. Did it pass through the legislative process? It is the court that has to do that. The law is there and the procedure is there also. People are scared that the order may be used to target perceived enemies, and you know power corrupts and an absolute power corrupts absolutely. You don’t allow a situation where the executive can be allowed to exercise maximum power as if it is the military.
The president has been a soldier, a former head of state, tasted the use of decrees and how it was also applied, but I tell you, our constitution is very special, especially the provision of fundamental human right: freedom to own a property. Therefore, there is no executive order and there is not even any legislative act in the National Assembly that can override the provision of the constitution. In fact, if there is any provision of any law that is contrary to the express provision of the constitution, that particular provision will be rendered null and void, to the extent of inconsistency. So, no matter what you call it, whether executive order or acts of parliament; the constitution remains supreme. Whatever the executive order is meant to achieve, it is challenge-able in court.
When we were campaigning for Buhari, we put in our best, we felt that a new Nigeria is about to be born with all the promises. But can I still say that a new Nigeria is actually being born? Is the custom not the same? Is police not the same? Is the judgment of the court being obeyed? So, what has changed? Nothing! If you want to fight corruption without restructuring the system, you will only succeed in arresting your opponents and putting them in jail without change
Can you then in a nutshell differentiate between executive order and legislative law?
Legislative act is something that has passed through the process of law making, whereas the executive order is what it is called, without legislative input.
Does a person have the power to create an executive order?
The executive can bring a bill for any policy they wishe to enact into law to the National Assembly. But I understand that there are so many bills sent to the National Assembly which has not received any attention. And some people are saying maybe it is out of frustration that the President has to circumvent the powers of the legislature. That again, does not have any place under our constitution.
Constitution does not allow the executive to enact any law. What the executive does is just execute. Look at the functions of all the arms of government. There is an arm that legislates, there is an arm that executes, and there is an arm that interprets. So the moment an arm now usurps the other forms of government; that is illegal. Under the constitution, the executive is supposed to execute what has been legislated on and should not be the one legislating on what he wants to execute.
Can we blame this thing on the current fracas between the executive and the legislature?
The president has not told us that he’s suffering some level of frustration which is making him behave this way. He is just saying because he is the executive president, he has the right to go through executive orders. So, he has not told us he is suffering frustration in the hands of legislature. The constitution has given each arm their powers, and the executive cannot take that away. The fundamental human rights include the right to own property.
There are procedures in law even under EFCC Acts as to how fraudulently acquired property can be recovered. One has to be convicted first before you take his property permanently.
Do we conclude that the president is acting on the catchphrase that says “the law is an ass” where sometimes the guilty may not be found guilty in the court of the law?
We should understand the philosophy behind criminal prosecution. The philosophy behind criminal prosecution is that it is better for nine accused persons who are guilty to go scot free than for one innocent person to be convicted for an offence. The constitution says crime itself must be defined by law. You don’t just wake up one morning and say this person is liable for any criminal offence which is unknown to law. Secondly, whoever is accused of a crime is entitled to fair hearing and defense. He needs to be heard and defended by the legal practitioner of his choice. And three, any accused person is presumed to be innocent until the contrary is proven. So these are all the legal safeguards that are provided for in favour of a person that is accused of a crime. So what this means is that if you are accusing somebody of having committed a crime, you should try as much as possible to have your evidence to prove it beyond reasonable doubt. You don’t allow doubt to be raised in the mind of the judge before whom you are prosecuting an individual. If you do that, the court will act in favour of the accused. What has happened over the years is that we have not yet developed in criminal prosecution. A lot of tardiness is seen in the area of investigation. And why is that? It is because we are not deploying the recent and proper processes and procedures and technology in investigation of crime. We assume that somebody has committed a crime and we begin to apply orthodox method in order to extract supposed evidence from the accused; investigation of crime has gone far beyond that. It has gone technological. If you watch some of the western films, you’ll see them. They don’t accuse people just like that. They gather their evidences and carry out their duties rightfully. They put all innovations in order to make sure that an accused person is in a tight corner in defending himself because all evidence would have been gathered. So, technology is deployed. Here, we have not yet got the basic things in order as a country such as basic data of individuals in the system.
When is the country getting there?
The emergence of good leaders who know and have seen good things and have the willpower to implement them.
But every leader so far has seen them.
Yeah, we see it.
Those aspiring for power always see these things and propose to do better when they get to power but the case is not always the same. Why is it so?
There are so many things wrong with Nigeria. One is the structure. Another is greed and the way things work. You may go there with good intentions but you discover that everyone around is a thief. Many do not go there to work for Nigeria. Many go there to frustrate those with good intentions. If care is not taken, they may even kill those few with genuine intentions. The system will frustrate you. Nigeria’s problem is a combination of many factors. We may begin to get out of our numerous problems as a country if we take the bold step to reconstruct this country structurally.
Sir, what do we say to a president that made a pronouncement that “you are guilty until found innocent” in contrary to what the law says
A lot of people in this country want to do the wrong things. I have seen many people. Even in the NBA where I am a leader. When they see someone who can change system for the better, they will not allow him. It was so bad that if not for God and Mrs. Femi Falana, I wouldn’t have made the chairmanship of NBA, Ikeja Branch. The woman tried a lot. The system is anti-goodness. The people who find themselves in the system are those who compromise. So, when you come in as a righteous man, they will try to frustrate you. Sometimes it becomes so frustrating to the innocent, for it’s either he or she resigns or be like them.
So, how do we break even?
We need a revolution and I have said that a lot of times. But Nigerians like life and enjoyment. They don’t want to fight. I don’t know whether Nigerians will be ready for a revolution. That would be the easiest way to get out of this corrupt system. When another person comes, he starts to implement different ideas that would move the country to a greater level, and many people may have to die. Those guys who are in the system have to be cleared. But that is an expensive way. Another very expensive way but the most peaceful is the re-orientation of the people. Nigeria will be liberated either by revolution, which is costly and many have to die, or with a new re-orientation, a new set of people who will say enough is enough. In addition to all these, we need a new structure of the country.
Sir, among those people showing interest for 2019 presidential election, who among them do you think is the messiah?
The young men coming up have beautiful ideas, but it doesn’t only take beautiful ideas in Nigeria. There are other considerations. There are other factors like: where are you coming from? It it not your turn stuff. It is expected that the Northerners will complete their 8 years. It is embedded in the mind of 80% of Nigerians. Even the major political parties that have all it takes, all the structures, are also looking for a candidate from the north. So, is it a political party that has no structure that will produce a Yoruba man, or an Igbo man in 2019? No. The Hausa man or Fulani man will become the president in 2019 unless there is a new orientation or mentality. However, it can happen because nothing is impossible with God. It has happened in some other countries before. Please note, it is difficult because of the problem of ethnicity, religious biases and some other factors affecting us. If we are together without those, I tell you, we can move mountains together in Nigeria, including having a new set of leaders irrespective of tribe or religion.
What is the advice to Nigeria now, on how to get out of this mess?
Nigerians must first look at who is coming. One of those promises we should look at from the supposed right man is what he will promise us on the issue of restructuring. Nigeria needs restructuring urgently.
Someone like Atiku has said he will
The point is that Atiku has some baggage. However people are beginning to look towards his direction because of the perceived failures of the present government. Like I said earlier, for Atiku to win, there are lots of mental processes that should take place first. He has work to do.
But between Atiku and Buhari, who has the upper chance?
Buhari has upper chance. But if Buhari is deserted by those who brought him to power, such as Tinubu for example, then his chances will be slim. But as long as Tinubu and some northern leaders are with Buhari, he may still come back in 2019.
Even the major political parties that have all it takes, all the structures, are also looking for a candidate from the north. So, is it a political party that has no structure that will produce a Yoruba man, or an Igbo man in 2019? No. The Hausa man or Fulani man will become the president in 2019 unless there is a new orientation or mentality
What with all the defections recently
Well, Buhari cannot have major power. If all these people can come together to choose a strong person to represent them, then president Buhari will know that he has no ultimate power in the coming election. But you know these people have selfish interest and not national interest. None of them has the agenda to change Nigeria. It is to come and embezzle properties and treasures. But who are these people coming together? The same set of people who were once in PDP, they came over to APC and caused so much trouble and are still going back to PDP. Nigeria should not be confused actually. When we were campaigning for Buhari, we put in our best, we felt that a new Nigeria is about to be born with all the promises. But can I still say that a new Nigeria is actually being born? Is the custom not the same? Is police not the same? Is the judgment of the court being obeyed? So, what has changed? Nothing! If you want to fight corruption without restructuring the system, you will only succeed in arresting your opponents and putting them in jail without change. If in three years, there is nothing convincing enough about this government, then I must be very careful when campaigning in the next election. Nigerians need to think. Nigerians need to work together for the interest of the country. We need to destroy ethnicity, religiosity and other biases. We should think Nigeria, dream Nigeria, and work for her.
You once asked people not to call you Barrister Ubani that you prefer Mr. Ubani. Why
Oh, it is because of my legal profession. They were saying that being called barrister is wrong, that it isn’t proper. So, that is it. But it doesn’t stop me from being Barrister and Solicitor of Supreme Court of Nigeria. People still call me Barrister my brother.
Sir, how do you relax?
I must tell you that I don’t have much relaxing time. I am always on the road, on the air and I have to read for my cases, for knowledge amongst other responsibilities. I do relax however with music and literature of world leaders and successful personalities.
And how do you relate to your immediate family?
Yeah, they are complaining. That is why I must handover. Most people want me to go for NBA president and not so fast friends. I shall be taking them to Abuja this month for a few days relaxation before resumption of activities.
But you should
Not now. I want to become a SAN too. I want to pursue my SANship. I didn’t get the right orientation on time, but it is now a strong desire my brother. I need God’s grace as I commence the process though belatedly. It is better late than never.erico
Thank you very much sir.
You are welcome.
By Eric Elezuo
Mrs. Olufunlola Aderinokun, widow of late former Chief Executive Officer, Guaranty Trust Bank, Tayo Aderinokun, has raised alarm over illegal, dangerous construction and encroachment into her property, Rehoboth Place, situated along Banana Island Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, by the Shell Staff Cooperative Investment and Thrift Society Limited, alerting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu through an S.O.S letter to intervene, call the offenders to order, and save her building, its occupants and the general public from more present and unforeseen harm.
Speaking exclusively to The Boss, Mrs. Aderinokun lamented the recalcitrant stance of the Shell Staff Cooperative Investment and Thrift Society Limited, whose building shares a common perimeter fence with Rehoboth Place, and how they have continued their illegal construction, which has consistently defaced Rehoboth Place, in spite of cautions and deterring efforts employed by the government and the residents of Rehoboth Place.
“You need to visit the site to see how these people have defaced an already sitting building, causing structural damages as well as keeping residents of Rehoboth Place on their toes for fear of more structure collapse and/or imminent danger to lives,” she said.
Recalling that Rehoboth Place was built since 2016 according to all laid down construction rules and specifications, she further stated that on many occasions, the scaffolds and other heavy duty equipment including spanners and huge iron bars, used by the Shell Staff Coop builders, have collapsed and dropped into Rehoboth Place building, causing untold structural defacing and fear of possible fatal bodily harm to the residents. This, according to her, is because the Shell Staff Coop building is less than two metres away from the common fence, while the recommended spacing is from six meters.
Recounting to The Boss the genesis of her ordeal with the building developers and the Lagos State government with the General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whom she believes is showing unbelievable favour to Shell Staff Coop at the expense of injuries to lives and properties at Rehoboth Place, Mrs Aderinokun, a 67 years old retired widow, who claims that she can neither sleep well in her own bedroom nor park her car in her own compound because of the noise, danger, debris and mutilation from the Shell Staff Coop construction, narrated that the whole illegality, as she termed it, is dated back to 2020, when the Shell Staff Coop building construction started the piling work.
“As at then, I was not in the country, and because of the COVID-19 issue, many things were played down. However, when I returned to the country in August 2021, after one and half years away from Nigeria, I discovered that they had damaged my property, Rehoboth Place, extensively. My own letting agent didn’t tell me, but was rather negotiating with the offenders on how to repair the damages. Naturally, I was furious and demanded both a halt on the project and thorough compensation for the extensive damage. Note that by then, at Rehoboth Place, a bungalow, the bore hole, the perimeter fence, and other structures were already completely compromised beyond repair.
“However, in 2023, I mobilised structural engineers and the company that built Rehoboth Place originally, Cappa and D’Alberto Ltd, to begin repairs of all the damages that Shell Staff Coop caused. The Engineers wrote off the compromised bungalow and common fence, and insisted that they must be brought down completely before repairs could commence.
“However, while they were carrying out repair and reconstruction works, materials from the Shell Staff Coop construction continued to drop inside the compound from very high levels, making it impossible for safe and healthy work to continue at Rehoboth Place. Debris of cement, water, polystyrene particles and bars, tools and other dangerous materials were constantly dropping into Rehoboth Place from high levels, and so the workmen had to abandon the job, and ran for dear life. It wasn’t safe. It was not healthy. Cappa & D’Alberto Ltd wrote to demobilise from the site of Rehoboth Place in July 2023, and cannot return to the site till date because of the danger from Shell Staff Coop construction, while Lagos State looks away!
“As at today, I can’t park my car in my own compound. The huge terrace at Rehoboth Place, next to the building of Shell Staff Coop and the swimming pool at Rehoboth Place, have not been usable since May 2023, till date. While I was getting ready to sue Shell Staff Coop for the damages caused to the building, the scaffolding of Shell Staff Coop fell on the 5th floor of Rehoboth Place on 19th July 2023. This could amount to a criminal offence under the laws of Lagos State as it constitutes danger to human life and public safety,” she said.
Mrs Aderinokun’s complaints to the Lagos State Building Control Agency, under Mr Gbolahan Oki, led to an inspection and subsequent sealing of the site to stop further construction in July 2023.
“Mr Oki stated to me over the phone on 1st November 2023 that the Shell Staff Coop will pay for the damages, and that, ‘even if it’s the governor that is the one building there, they (Lagos State) will do the right thing’. I’m surprised that Mr. Oki is the one who’s no longer responding to the matter today. And on January 15, 2024, the Lagos State government allowed Shell Staff Coop to return to site, and resume construction, alarmingly without addressing any of the reasons for sealing up the Shell Staff Coop building for almost 6 months! The knocks from the close construction of Shell Staff Coop woke me up from my bed on 15th January 2024 and have continued until now, 7 days a week,” she noted.
As a follow up, Aderinokun recalled that on January 20, 2024, writing in her capacity as the Director of her company, Quadro Investment Limited, owner of the property, Rehoboth Place, she again appealed to the Lagos State Building Control Agency via the General Manager, and re-detailed the hazards that the construction of the Shell Staff Coop portend, and continues to unleash, and appealed that the government should put a stop to the building or at most curtail the dangers inherent. She wondered why the construction was allowed to resume six months after sealing up, with nothing to show that due diligence has been done.
The letter, which was titled “Re: Construction of Multiple Storey Building Against Building Regulations Along Banana Island Road, Etisalat LGA, Ikoyi, Lagos, Which Shares a Common Perimeter Fence with Our Property, Rehoboth Place”, reminded the Agency that the ongoing construction of the Shell Staff Coop, was sealed up by Lagos State officials on July 25 2023, when they visited and they discovered certain unpalatable infractions including absence of airspace and protection against damage to the adjoining premises of Rehoboth Place and others, among many other inanities.
In their capacity as a regulatory agency, the LSBCA had, in July 2023, assessed the scene and discovered as follows:
1. That the safety nets were not properly installed,
2. Blockade of public drainage facilities as a result of the construction work,
3. Damage of adjoining property due to effects of construction,
4. Inadequate airspace of right side of the structure.
Therefore, the Agency came up with certain recommendations, which were pasted on the fence of the construction site of Shell Building Cooperative. The recommendation was a point-blank order to stop the construction of the building as a result of the following reasons: 1. The development was unauthorized 2. The development did not conform to the planning permit issued by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority. 3. There’s no authorization to commence construction by LSBCA as required by law, and 4. The structure erected is contrary to Building Control Standards.
The Agency concluded its recommendation with sealing up authorization that the building should stop henceforth with the service of the Order.
“That was on 25 July 2023, but the construction resumed on 15 January 2024 with no evidence of the noted hazards controlled, and events at the site have continued to put Rehoboth Place and its occupants in harm’s way, The 10 inches spanner fell onto the ground floor of Rehoboth Place on 29th January 2024, from a height of about 7 or more floors of the building of the Shell Staff Coop! If the spanner had fallen on the head of anyone at Rehoboth Place, the fatality that could have happened can only be imagined” Aderinokun lamented.
The letter is presented in details below:
22 January 2024.
The General Manager,
Lagos State Building Control Agency,
Muiz Banire Street,
Off Oba Akinjobi Way,
GRA, Ikeja.
Dear Sir,
RE: CONSTRUCTION OF MULTIPLE STOREY BUILDING AGAINST BUILDING REGULATIONS ALONG BANANA ISLAND ROAD, ETI-OSA L.G.A. IKOYI, LAGOS; WHICH SHARES A COMMON PERIMETER FENCE WITH OUR PROPERTY REHOBOTH PLACE.
The above-described development, which is an ongoing construction and adjacent to our property, Rehoboth Place (at Plots 16-17, along Banana Island Road, Ikoyi, Lagos) was sealed up by your agency on 25th July 2023 for a number of infractions, amongst which were the absence of protection and airspace against damage to the adjoining premises of Rehoboth Place and others. Please find attached here, copies of the contravention notice and stop work order pasted by your Agency on the construction site.
On 16th January 2024, work recommenced at the construction and it appears that the property has been unsealed. This is despite the continued absence of protection on the construction works and airspace to Rehoboth Place. As a result, both our property (Rehoboth Place) and its occupants have been placed back at risk of suffering substantial damage, serious injury and/or death due to debris and other things falling into Rehoboth Place from the construction site. Please find attached here, photos of some of the items that have fallen into Rehoboth Place from the adjoining construction site before the sealing up of the site by your Agency.
Further, the building remains less than the stipulated distance from its boundary with Rehoboth Place, which is a clear, and continuing breach of building regulations.
In the circumstances, we are left to speculate as to the reasons why the construction site has been permitted to continue, even as the specific contraventions, for which it was ordered to stop work, continue un-remediated, almost 6 months later. It would appear that the attitude that has resulted in a number of building tragedies in Lagos State continues to prevail within your Agency.
We hereby notify you that we will not fold our arms and do nothing, while our property is exposed to further trespass and the possibility of serious injury and/or loss of life to its occupants. Should any injury and/or death be suffered by anyone at all, please be in no doubt that a report will be made to law enforcement agencies and the contents of this letter and those of our other appeals to Lagos State on this matter, will be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
In the circumstances, we are constrained to issue this notice demanding that you enforce the building regulations on the above-stated construction works, failing which we shall have no option, other than to institute legal proceedings to compel you to fulfil your statutory obligations.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Olufunlola K. Aderinokun.
Director.
With no commensurate response from the LSBCA, and the sensing the criminal intent, Aderinokun petitioned the Commissioner of Police, CP Fayoade, and copied the AIG zone 2, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and the Commissioner for Environment, to use his good office to stop the construction before injuries or even death are recorded.
The letter is produced below:
20 February 2024.
The Commissioner of Police,
Lagos State Police Headquarters,
Muiz Banire Street,
GRA, Ikeja,
Lagos State.
Dear Sir,
RE: PETITION ON THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION THAT IS AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY, CONTRARY TO SECTION 123 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW OF LAGOS STATE, 2015, CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE AT THE PROPERTY THAT ADJOINS REHOBOTH PLACE (A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT) SITUATE ALONG BANANA ISLAND ROAD, IKOYL, LAGOS.
We are the owner of Rehoboth Place, situate at Plots 16-17, Banana Island Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The construction works adjoining Rehoboth Place belongs to, The Shell Staff Cooperative Investment and Thrift Society Limited, whose office address is at Freeman House, 21/22 Marina, Lagos State.
Please refer to the above subject matter and the self-explanatory letter, which is attached here, dated 22 January 2024, written by us to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSBCA).
In addition to the contents and attachments to our said letter written to the LSBCA, please find attached here, photos of 3 (three) more injurious items, which fell into Rehoboth Place from the adjoining compound at various times.
The big blue piece of iron (contained in the attachment to the letter to the LSBCA), which weighs about 8 kilograms, fell from the adjoining compound into Rehoboth Place, sometime in July 2023, while the 10 inches spanner, fell from the adjoining compound into Rehoboth Place at about 10.45am on 29th January 2024. The iron rod that is about 60 inches long, weighs two & a half kilograms.
All the items fell onto the ground floor of Rehoboth Place from heights of 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the adjoining construction works, which are obviously being constructed, too close to Rehoboth Place and other neighbouring properties, in contravention of the building laws, regulations and permits of Lagos State.
We hereby, humbly appeal to your office, to take all necessary action to investigate the ongoing danger to human life and public safety, that is being posed by the owners and occupiers of the property adjoining Rehoboth Place.
Furthermore, we appeal to you, to use your good offices to ensure that the said dangerous construction works, which are being carried out in the adjoining compound to Rehoboth Place are stopped immediately before any further crime in committed, particularly before the occurrence of any loss of life or serious injury to anyone,
We trust in your kind and urgent attention to this matter.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
DIRECTOR.
Cc:
1. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,
Lagos State Ministry of Justice,
The secretariat, Block 2,
Alausa, Ikeja.
2 The Assistant Inspector-General of Police,
The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2,
Command Headquarters,
King George V Road, Onikan,
Lagos State.
3. The Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources,
Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,
The Lagos State secretariat,
Alausa, Ikeja.
With no response from the General Manager, Mr Gbolahan Oki, the Rehoboth Place owner, having established a criminal intent with the Police, resorted to writing the governor one more time, whom she had been privileged to discuss the matter with via phone and in person on several occasions. It is on record that Aderinokun had earlier on August 8, 2023 and November 28, 2023 written to the governor on the same issue. But like the manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, neither the governor nor his office responded.
“They practically called my bluff, without a care of what their silence and inaction on these matters is causing to me personally, to other members of the public and/or may cause in the future,” Aderinokun said.
Below is the full letter addressed to the governor:
29th February 2023.
Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu,
Executive Governor,
Lagos State of Nigeria,
Governor’s Office,
Alausa,
Lagos State.
Dear Mr. Governor,
PLEASE, SAVE OUR SOULS.
RE: IN RESPECT OF THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION OF MULTIPLE STOREY BUILDING AGAINST BUILDING REGULATIONS ALONG BANANA ISLAND ROAD, ETI-OSA L.G.A. IKOYI, LAGOS; POSING A DANGER TO THE ADJOINING PROPERTY-REHOBOTH PLACE AND HAS CAUSED STRUCTURAL DAMAGES & COLLAPSE OF STRUCTURES AT REHOBOTH PLACE.
I am the managing director of Quadro Investment Limited, the registered owner of Rehoboth Place, which is situated at Plots 16-17, along Banana Island Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, built and completed in the year 2016.
The owner of the ongoing construction which shares a common fence with Rehoboth Place, is Shell Staff Co-operative Investment & Thrift Society Limited (hereinafter called, “Shell Staff Cooperative”) with office address at Freeman House, 21/22 Marina, Lagos.
I am hereby writing an S.O.S., Save Our Souls to Mr. Governor for the reasons set out below.
1. People are continuously exposed to danger of serious injury and/or death at Rehoboth Place because the Lagos State authorities have allowed the construction work by Shell Staff Cooperative to continue, despite the danger it poses to the neighbourhood, its continuous pollution to the environment and the fact that it does not meet the building laws and regulations of Lagos State.
2. In respect of this subject matter, Quadro Investment Limited has written to:
2.1 you, Mr. Governor, by its letters dated 08 August 2023 and 28th November 2023;
2.2 the Lagos State Building Control Agency by its letter dated 22 January 2024;
2.3 the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, by its letter dated 20 February 2024. This letter was copied to, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force and the Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State.
Copies of the letters stated in 2.2 and 2.3 above are attached here.
3. In addition to the above, I have made several personal appeals to you, imploring you to grant me an audience to meet with you, to explain the situation to you after my letters and for you to look into this matter and direct Lagos State authorities to ensure that its own Building Regulations and Laws are adhered to in the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative. Unfortunately, all my efforts appear to have been ignored.
4. The on-going construction by Shell Staff Cooperative, which is on its 9th floor and still going up, stands less than 2 meters to its common fence with Rehoboth Place and has caused extensive damage, including collapse of structures at Rehoboth Place. It is posing a danger to life and health in the neighbourhood and at Rehoboth Place. While Lagos State has allowed the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative to continue, the owners of Rehoboth Place cannot use their own property, for fear of danger to life!!
5. Injurious and life-threatening items like big iron bars, weighing 8kg, other iron rods weighing 3kg and 1kg, a 10 inches long spanner, huge polypyrene bars have fallen from heights of 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the ongoing construction by Shell Staff Cooperative into the ground floor of Rehoboth Place at various times in 2023, and on 29th January 2024. Also, rains of construction water, cement, dust and particles of polypyrene and nylon continuously shower and fly into the airspace, terraces, swimming pool, onto motor vehicles, other valuable properties and indoor living areas at Rehoboth Place. Please find attached hereto, photos to back this up.
6. The scaffolding being used for the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative fell onto the 5th floor of Rehoboth Place on 19th July 2023, which led to a Contravention Notice and a Stop Work Order being pasted on the construction site of Shell Staff Cooperative on 25 July 2023. Please find photos attached here. From then on, the site remained closed for work, for about 6 months, until 15th January 2024, when work suddenly resumed at the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative, without addressing a single one of the reasons for the sealing up of the premises as stated in the Contravention Notice, including the non-application of safety net on the construction site. Please find attached here, shown in the videos recorded in the flash drive and photos of the dangling scaffolding on Rehoboth Place.
7. Since 15th January 2024, construction by Shell Staff Cooperative have continued, 7 days a week, including outside regulated working hours in a residential area, during night time hours, without any regard for neighbours. They start as early as 7am, waking me up from my sleep with consistent provocative sounds of hammer/iron knocking on iron, 7 days a week, week after week, without any break. Also, on 26th of January 2024, I was woken up from my sleep at 12.00 midnight because of the noise of the truck, working past midnight at the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative. Please find the proof of this shown in the videos recorded in the flash drive attached here.
8. The non-stop early morning knocking noise (7 days a week) from construction by Shell Staff Cooperative have had untold impact on my brain, psychology and well-being. Part of the reasons that certain distances are prescribed and legislated between buildings, is to avoid noise from one building into another. Since 15th January 2024 to date, it has been like living on a construction site at Rehoboth Place, every day, non-stop, and not a single day of break. Sir, please permit me to add here, that by God’s grace, I am a 67 (sixty-seven) years old widow, resident and indigene of Lagos State.
9. I cannot walk around my compound, I cannot park my car in my own home at Rehoboth Place and we are not able to use our terraces, because of the showers of cement, dirt, dust and polystyrene particles raining from the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative, onto our cars, other valuables and terraces at Rehoboth Place. Also, we have not been able to use the swimming pool at Rehoboth Place since April 2023 up to the date of this appeal. Please find attached here, the photo of the unhealthy materials from the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative inside the pool and on our terraces at Rehoboth Place, even inside our flower pots on the 5th floor!!!
10. Yet, Lagos State is looking away from this blatant disregard of its building regulations and laws, pollution of the environment, to favour the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative at the expense of the users of Rehoboth Place.
11. Meanwhile, Lagos State recently banned the use of styrofoams and single use plastics in the State. Sir, it is my humble opinion that Lagos State needs to go further and ban the use of polystyrene in construction sites. The construction workers of Shell Staff Cooperative have been seen cutting into smaller bars, at high levels of 6th, 7th, 8th floors, huge polystyrene bars, without any protection, thereby spraying unhealthy particles of polystyrene, with high health hazards to the neighbourhood and onto Rehoboth Place.
12. Also shown in the videos recorded in the flash drive attached to this letter, is the video of Mr. Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency when he visited Rehoboth Place on 2nd November 2023. Unfortunately, Mr. Oki has not matched his words with actions and instead, has allowed the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative to continue, despite the potential of the occurrence of a catastrophe.
13. Sir, my life and the lives of others are being put to danger by the construction of Shell Staff Cooperative, particularly because of its closeness to Rehoboth Place.
14. Sir, I’m not willing to wait until people are seriously injured and/or someone dies, before I cry out to the public. There is a potential of criminal offence being committed by the closeness of the constructions of Shell Staff Cooperative to Rehoboth Place. The photos and videos that I have attached here and the sealing up of the construction by Shell Staff Cooperative for about 6 months by Lagos State, speak volumes and I am sincerely not exaggerating.
15. Again, I hereby personally implore Mr. Governor, to use your good office to ensure that another unfortunate catastrophe related to building collapse, serious human injury and/or death does not happen in Lagos State, in this matter.
Sir, I am trusting in your speedy good judgement in this matter. Thank you, Sir.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Olufunlola K. Aderinokun (née Agusto).
It will be noted that building collapse has remained a recurring decimal in Lagos State. One can recall that a massive Ikoyi building, located not too far from Rehoboth Place, collapsed in 2022, and claimed lives of prominent Nigerians with many other budding professionals.
“All we are doing is to prevent a disaster lurking in the corner, and for me to have a safe and peaceful possession of my property,” Aderinokun concluded.
To date, the Foundation has disbursed US$100,000,000 directly into the hands of young African entrepreneurs, who have, in turn, created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing significantly to Africa’s economic growth and development. The Foundation has also provided capacity building support, advisory services, and market linkages to over 1.5 million Africans through its digital entrepreneurship-support platform, TEFConnect.
“…the Kingdom of Belgium conferred on me with the honorary distinction of Officer in the Order of Leopold, the country’s oldest and most important National Honour.
“I am humbled by this recognition of the work @TonyElumeluFDN in catalysing entrepreneurs across Africa and will continue to drive the economic empowerment of our brilliant young #Africanentrepreneurs to propel development in Africa,” the distinguished entrepreneur had reported.
In commemoration of of his diamond jubilee event, a symposium was held in his honour at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre in UBA House.
The symposium tagged ’60 for 60’ was attended by 60 young beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, friends and colleagues. He has never left the young people behind in his scheme of things.
The Oracle: Chief Ayo Adebanjo: A Member of the Dwindling Mohicans
Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist
Friday Sermon: The World in Turmoil and the Killing Fields of Gaza
N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted
EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello
Stay Away from CBT Centres, JAMB Warns Parents, Threatens Arrest
Oyo Govt Demolishes Operational Base of Yoruba Nation Agitators
Nigerian Engineer Wins $500m Contract to Build Monorail Network in Iraq
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Will Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Join Presidential Race?
World Exclusive: How Cabal, Corruption Stalled Mambilla Hydropower Project …The Abba Kyari, Fashola and Malami Connection Plus FG May Lose $2bn
Rehabilitation Comment: Sanwo-Olu’s Support Group Replies Ambode (Video)
Pendulum: Can Atiku Abubakar Defeat Muhammadu Buhari in 2019?
Fashanu, Dolapo Awosika and Prophet Controversy: The Complete Story
Pendulum: An Evening with Two Presidential Aspirants in Abuja
Who are the early favorites to win the NFL rushing title?
Boxing continues to knock itself out with bewildering, incorrect decisions
Steph Curry finally got the contract he deserves from the Warriors
Phillies’ Aaron Altherr makes mind-boggling barehanded play
The tremendous importance of owning a perfect piece of clothing
-
News6 years agoNigerian Engineer Wins $500m Contract to Build Monorail Network in Iraq
-
Featured6 years agoWORLD EXCLUSIVE: Will Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Join Presidential Race?
-
Boss Picks6 years agoWorld Exclusive: How Cabal, Corruption Stalled Mambilla Hydropower Project …The Abba Kyari, Fashola and Malami Connection Plus FG May Lose $2bn
-
Headline6 years agoRehabilitation Comment: Sanwo-Olu’s Support Group Replies Ambode (Video)
-
Headline6 years agoPendulum: Can Atiku Abubakar Defeat Muhammadu Buhari in 2019?
-
Headline5 years agoFashanu, Dolapo Awosika and Prophet Controversy: The Complete Story
-
Headline6 years ago
Pendulum: An Evening with Two Presidential Aspirants in Abuja
-
Headline6 years ago2019: Parties’ Presidential Candidates Emerge (View Full List)