Umeh Condemns Lagos Trade Fair Demolition

Senator Victor Umeh has criticised the recent demolition of buildings at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex by the Lagos State Government, describing the action as illegal and beyond the jurisdiction of the state. The lawmaker argued that the complex remains federal property and falls solely under the administration of the Federal Government.

The demolition, which took place on September 25, reportedly affected traders and business owners who were taken by surprise when state officials moved into the premises with heavy machinery. The incident has since drawn outrage from stakeholders, who accuse the Lagos authorities of disregarding due process and federal boundaries.

Dispute Over Jurisdiction And Control

Senator Umeh, who represents Anambra Central and is a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), stated that the Lagos State Government had no legal basis to carry out demolitions on land that is under federal control.

He noted that the Trade Fair Complex, located along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, is a federal establishment managed by the Trade Fair Management Board, an agency responsible for development approvals, rent collection, and property oversight within the area. According to him, the Lagos State Government had never previously exercised any administrative or planning authority there.

Umeh, who is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, maintained that all buildings within the complex were duly approved by the federal board, adding that the demolition was an overreach by the state. He argued that the commissioner’s defence of the operation was both unlawful and insensitive to the investments destroyed.

He further explained that federal lands are recorded and regulated through the Federal Land Registry in Ikoyi, while state properties are registered in Alausa. This distinction, he said, underscores the separation of powers and jurisdictional boundaries between the two tiers of government. By acting outside its scope, he noted, the Lagos State Government had violated legal and administrative protocols.

Traders Left Without Notice

Beyond the legal implications, the senator expressed concern for the traders whose businesses were affected, many of whom were not given prior notice or compensation before the demolitions began. According to him, both the Trade Fair Management Board and the occupants were caught off guard when state officials and bulldozers arrived at the site.

He said the demolition was carried out without any warning or consultation, leaving traders to count their losses and question the legitimacy of the action. Many of the structures destroyed, he added, were not makeshift stalls but well-developed business spaces that had served thousands of traders for years.

Reports from the site indicated that shops, warehouses, and administrative buildings were torn down under claims that they were built on canals and drainage paths. However, Umeh dismissed these claims, insisting that all structures within the complex were approved and regulated under the supervision of the federal board.

The lawmaker described the move as an “intrusion” into federal territory and urged the state government to respect the existing legal framework that governs property ownership and management in Nigeria. He emphasised that matters involving federal lands or establishments are not within the competence of state agencies, particularly in cases where no formal transfer of authority has been made.

The demolition, he warned, not only undermines investor confidence but also sets a worrying precedent for intergovernmental relations. By disregarding jurisdictional lines, he said, state authorities risk creating conflicts that could affect business stability and discourage investment in strategic economic zones.

Meanwhile, affected traders and business groups have continued to demand compensation and clarity on the future of the complex. Many have called on the Federal Government to step in to prevent further encroachment and to ensure that the facility remains under its management.

The Lagos International Trade Fair Complex has long served as a commercial hub for thousands of traders, hosting some of the largest local and international business exhibitions in the country. The recent demolition has reignited debate about overlapping powers between state and federal authorities, as well as the need for clearer regulatory coordination.

As the controversy unfolds, the Federal Government is yet to issue an official statement on the matter. However, Senator Umeh’s remarks have added weight to calls for a review of the circumstances surrounding the demolition and a reassessment of jurisdictional responsibilities between both levels of government.

For now, the traders displaced by the demolition continue to await intervention and clarity, even as tensions remain high around one of Lagos’s most vital commercial centres.