Illegal conversion: LASG shuts five banks, 80 other buildings

      By Eje peter 

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday shut down five banks and about 80 buildings in the Allen Avenue, Ikeja area over alleged illegal conversion.

The affected banks are Zenith, Access, Sterling, Unity and UBA.

Also shut are Tantalizer, Adebowale Electronics, Panasonic and several other buildings used for commercial purposes.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), led by the agency’s secretary, Mr Tayo Fakolujo, and a director in the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Kayode Daramola, drove out the customers and bank officials at Zenith Bank, while Unity Bank was sealed before it opened for business.

The government said the affected buildings got approval as residential building, but were later converted for commercial purposes without approval.

The General Manager, LASBCA, Lekan Shodeinde, said owners of the affected buildings had been issued notices over one month ago to regularise their documents and get commercial approval, but ignored the call.

Shodeinde said, “LASBCA is carrying out an audit on buildings in Lagos State to ensure safety. The government had given six months grace for people who did not have permits before erecting their structures to regularise them without paying the penalties.

“The owners of buildings on Allen Avenue did not come forward to regularise their papers, hence the need to enforce the law.