Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, has clarified that developers of the properties demolished in Mende Villa in Mende on Saturday had been issued contravention notices since 2021, with the most recent served in November 2023.
Wahab clarified in a Sunday interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show that contrary to claims in circulating videos by a Mende Villa property developer, government authorities had issued contravention notices and marked properties before their demolition on Saturday.
The Commissioner mentioned that his predecessor, Mr. Tunji Bello, served contravention notices in 2021 to properties encroaching on the setback of the System 1 drainage channel in Mende Villa, Maryland. Upon assuming his role in Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, he issued demolition notices to the same developers in November 2023.