The Lagos state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development Tuesday sealed off an ongoing building project located at Plot 18, Block J, within Seagate Estate, Lekki Phase 1, Eti-Osa Lagos, amid allegations of forgery, encroachment, and disobedience to regulatory directives.
The enforcement, carried out by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), followed a stop-work order and a subsequent notice to seal the property after concerns were raised over the legitimacy of the title documents submitted by the developer who is also a lawyer, Frank Uche Ezeala.
LASPPPA officials said the developer allegedly began construction on the disputed land without valid approvals or verifiable documentation from the appropriate authorities.
The ministry said several attempts were made to obtain clarification and compliance from the parties involved, but Ezeala reportedly failed to respond to official invitations and directives.
The case dates back to a land ownership dispute involving multiple parties. One of the claimants, Dr. John Umude, who said he lawfully acquired Plots 16 and 18 in the estate nearly three decades ago, petitioned the ministry, alleging that the developer forged documents and commenced construction despite being informed that the matter was before the courts.
The claimant, who said he purchased the plots in 1994 and was the first assignee of record, presented documents including a Deed of Sublease and survey plan to support his claim. He also noted that while Plot 16 was sold in 2013, Plot 18 remained in his name and had been fenced, gated, and padlocked before the developer allegedly broke in and began construction.
The ministry subsequently initiated an internal review and invited the original vendors and estate developers, Harris Properties. During the review, officials reportedly confirmed that the documents submitted by the developer did not originate from their offices.
