Residents of Abimbola Close in the Jibowu area of Yaba LCDA, Lagos State, have raised concerns over the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)’s ongoing “illegal building project” in the area.
Speaking through the Abimbola Close Residence Association (ARA) Chairman, Mr. Tunde Olawore, the residents told newsmen that the church has continued the construction despite strong opposition from the community and multiple seal orders and demolition notices from the state government.
Olawore told newsmen that the “illegal and unlawful ongoing building project” is located at No. 12 Abimbola Close, Fadeyi, in the Jibowu area of Yaba, Lagos State.
He expressed concern over the RCCG’s continued development of the “illegal structure,” which had been marked for demolition by the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for non-compliance with building regulations.
In April 2024, newsmen reported that residents of Abimbola Close accused the Redeemed Christian Church of using police personnel to harass and intimidate leaders of the Community Development Associations who opposed the church’s building project.
Newsmen learned that community residents opposed the project due to concerns about the potential collapse of the structure and noise pollution.
Residents also expressed concerns that the community was already overcrowded due to the presence of another religious establishment, The Church of the Lord (Aladura).
Newsmen learned that the Redeemed Church Alpha and Omega purchased a small plot of land on Abimbola Close, off Oweh Street, Jibowu-Fadeyi, Lagos.
Despite the limited space and its proximity to a church that has been in the area for over two decades, RCCG is constructing a three-storey building on the site. Residents warned that the structure could pose safety risks to the community.
However, when contacted by Newsmen, the pastor of RCCG Alpha and Omega Parish, Mr. Olusegun Olalere, denied allegations of using the police to harass and intimidate community members.
RCCG spokesman, Pastor Olaitan Olubiyi, stated that he was unaware of the incident.
Meanwhile, Olawore provided newsmen with several seal orders and demolition notices issued to the church by the Lagos State government.
Newsmen observed that on May 7, 2024, the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development issued a contravention notice to the RCCG church under the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019 (As Amended).
The notice stated, “Your contravention consists of the following: Erection of three floor church structure without evidence of Lagos State Physical Planning permit on site. No set back and air spaces. No project board on site.”
Lagos Community Raises Alarm As Redeemed Christian Church Defies Seal Orders, Demolition Notices To Continue ‘Illegal Building Project’
The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development also issued a stop-work order to the RCCG church on May 7, 2024, stating that the ongoing construction was unauthorized and did not comply with the development permit issued by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority.
Lagos Community Raises Alarm As Redeemed Christian Church Defies Seal Orders, Demolition Notices To Continue ‘Illegal Building Project’
On May 13, 2024, the ministry followed up with a demolition notice, referencing the earlier contravention notice and stop-work order, and noting that the church had failed to comply with the directives.
The RCCG church was given a two-day ultimatum to address the violations or face demolition, with the cost of demolition to be recovered from the church.
Lagos Community Raises Alarm As Redeemed Christian Church Defies Seal Orders, Demolition Notices To Continue ‘Illegal Building Project’
On November 27, 2024, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority issued a seal order against the church for non-compliance with the previous contravention notice, stop-work order, regularization notice, and quit notice.
However, Olawore told newsmen that despite these enforcement actions, the church has continued construction and has even encroached on the premises of a public primary school in the area.
He said, “This unlawful action of the developer is a violation of the relevant laws governing building in Lagos State.
“The developer has continued to progress in the construction of work because of the connivance of some Lagos State government officials who have emboldened the developer to the extent of pulling down the fence of Fadeyi/Onayade Primary School, Fadeyi, extending their land and have continued to boast that nothing will stop him from completing the construction work.”
Lagos Community Raises Alarm As Redeemed Christian Church Defies Seal Orders, Demolition Notices To Continue ‘Illegal Building Project’
He said they have, on several occasions, challenged and prevented the developer “who has scrumptiously and secretly mobilized his workmen to work at night to force his illegal action on the association and by extension, on the Lagos State government”.
Olawore added that the church has continued to claim confidently that nothing will prevent them from completing the building’s construction.
He said, “In order to evade the scrutiny of the Lagos State government officials, the developer has resorted to building at night to circumvent the attention of Lagos State regulatory agencies.
Lagos Community Raises Alarm As Redeemed Christian Church Defies Seal Orders, Demolition Notices To Continue ‘Illegal Building Project’
“At the height of this criminality was the demolition of Fadeyi/ Onayade Primary School behind the uncompleted ongoing building to extend their land into the school.
“We have no doubt in our minds that this action could not have been done without the connivance of some school staff who must be investigated and sanctioned.
“And, the Pastor of the Redeemed Church also brought the congregation into the uncompleted building and worshipped there against all the advice of the resident’s association.”
Lagos Community Raises Alarm As Redeemed Christian Church Defies Seal Orders, Demolition Notices To Continue ‘Illegal Building Project’
He said, “We will no longer sit back and watch the developer put us in a state of helplessness and confusion,” hence, the community has written to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to allow prompt action and prevention of another illegal building in the area.
In the letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, the residents said, “Consequently, while we anxiously wait for your quick intervention, we have instructed our lawyers to file the avoidable legal action at the appropriate court against the developer and the Lagos State government.”
Also, in a letter addressed to the General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and dated February 12, 2025, the community said, “If there is no immediate and quick action to stop the developer from carrying out further illegal construction, we shall take the following steps without any other recourse to your office.
“We shall report to the Executive Governor of Lagos State; the Honourable Commissioner of Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
“File a civil suit against your office and Lagos State government for permitting the construction of an illegal building.
“We sincerely hope that your prompt action this time will finally halt the nuisance, illegality, and criminality that is brazenly committed by the developer, otherwise, we shall instruct our lawyers to carry out our brief.”
