**LAGOS—** The management of Edwards Private School in Agege, Lagos State, is engaged in a heated dispute with the Agege Local Government Area (LGA) over the demolition of the school’s 30-year-old three-storey building.
While the school insists it is the rightful owner of the building and the land on which it is situated, accusing the council of illegal demolition, the council defended its decision, citing a lack of title to the property.
A Vanguard reporter who witnessed the demolition over the weekend observed a “confiscation notice” posted on the school’s fence.
Remains of computers and other electronic items were destroyed after the raid by officials of the Agege Local Government Area. Some residents and former students present at the scene lamented the council’s actions, noting that the school had served the community and benefited many indigent residents for decades.
The school’s books, files, and other properties were scattered throughout the premises as staff members were denied the opportunity to remove them before the demolition.
A staff member, identified only as Mrs. Adetoro, told our reporter that the school possessed an approved building plan, a court judgment, a registered conveyance, and a governor’s consent, along with a government letter of excision/release of the land from which it derived its title. She stated that these titles were duly registered with the Lagos State Government after obtaining the governor’s consent approximately 30 years ago.
Mrs. Adetoro also mentioned that the school had paid various levies, taxes, and rates to the Agege Local Government Area since 1992. She presented our reporter with a copy of the school’s registered title, building approval number, and other official documents, including a letter addressed to the Agege Local Government Chairman, which was acknowledged in his office just a day before the demolition.
Our reporter learned that the council chairman, Ganiyu Egunjobi, claimed the half-plot of land where the school was located is part of the proposed New Agege Model Market extension along Old Ogba Road.
**LG Reacts**
When contacted, Egunjobi confirmed that his council was responsible for the demolition. He stated, “The question is, is the school a public school? It’s a private school. We had asked them to provide the land title, but they don’t have valid papers of ownership.”
**Lagos Govt Remains Silent**
Meanwhile, a source at the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government Affairs, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the ministry cannot intervene due to local government autonomy. The source advised the school’s owner to submit a petition to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government, for further intervention and action.
Discussion about this post