SIGNATURE VILLA ESTATE DEMOLITION: FACT-FINDING MISSION REVEALS
KEY INSIGHTS
“We are suffering for the sins we know nothing about”, a victim of the recent demolition of
properties in the luxurious Signature Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos, lamented beside the ruins of his
former home. Amidst tears, confusion, and despondency, other victims of the demolitions took
SPACES FOR CHANGE around the demolished areas, narrating their recent ordeal and their
surreal journey from shelter to homelessness.
On October 12, 2023, the Lagos State Government carried out a demolition operation, resulting
in the destruction of more than 25 completed terraced buildings and various structures along the
Ikota drainage channel, leaving numerous families without homes. What transpired in the
esteemed Signature Villa Estate in Lekki, Lagos? Who authorized the demolitions? What
circumstances led to the demolitions? Who granted the building permits that allowed these
constructions to proceed? Did innocent purchasers for value overlook due diligence? Who should
be held accountable for the errors made and the losses incurred by the victims?
To uncover the answers to these pressing questions, Spaces for Change | S4C and the
Communities Alliance against Displacement (CAD) jointly undertook a fact-finding mission to
the Signature Villa Estate within Ikota Villa Estate, Lekki, Lagos, on October 18, 2023. Here, we
present the findings of our investigation, shedding light on the facts and the existing gaps.
One of the pressing concerns raised by this unfortunate incident is the apparent lapse in oversight
by regulatory bodies such as the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA)
and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), which allowed building
structures such as Signature Villa Estate to be constructed in violation of regulations.
Eye-witness accounts and testimonies from the victims themselves suggest that the developers
and marketers of these properties have failed to conduct transactions with the current "owners" in
good faith, leading to these devastating consequences.
Additionally, our investigations have unveiled considerable lapses in basic due diligence
processes. Many buyers failed to conduct thorough due diligence on the property acquisitions
and neglected to secure the necessary documentation, leaving them vulnerable to losses.
The unfortunate demolition of Signature Villa Estate is yet another sad testament to the persistent
issues in housing and urban governance within Lagos State. In response, Spaces for Change and
CAD call for the following actions:
1. The Lagos State Government must take immediate steps to address corruption within its
ranks and ensure the strict enforcement of environmental and building standards to prevent
such incidents from recurring.
2. The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria is urged to conduct a thorough
investigation into the immediate and remote causes of this demolition case and hold their
members implicated in the demolition accountable for their actions that resulted in the loss
of homes and properties.
3. Prospective property buyers and homeowners are strongly advised to exercise caution and
conduct comprehensive due diligence before finalizing property transactions to safeguard
themselves against potential financial losses.
