The partial demolition of Oraukwu Plaza owned by Mr. Samuel Abana has raised concerns about the processes of land allocation and protection of property owners’ interests within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.

Lamenting the recent partial demolition of his plaza, Abana alleged that on March 24, 2025, officials of the Balogun Business Association (BBA), on the instruction of the President of the association, Mr. Oscar Odogwu, demolished a section of his Oraukwu Plaza without prior notice and room for fair hearing.

Abana claimed that his workers arrived the plaza on the morning of the day to see that a part of it had been removed with some of the items kept in that section of the plaza carted away.

According to him, subsequent investigations revealed that the Chairman of the BBA Board of Trustees, Mr. Okey Ezeibe, allegedly authorised the break-in.
Also, Ezeibe, along with Odogwu, the President of BBA, reportedly claimed that both Mr. Abana’s land and the neighbouring property belonged to BBA. Abana, however, claimed that his land was allocated to him by BBA’s Allocation Committee, though not under the administration of Odogwu.

Despite making this assertion and presenting documents to prove that the land was allocated to him legally, the BBA Board of Trustee chairman and president did not listen rather reallocated the another person who is already erecting a structure on the land. ​

“Did he request for the documents before demolition? What did you expect, even when the document for approval of the extension was sent to him after demolition, he labeled it fake to justify what he has already done. They sell lands paid for and approved by previous administrations.”

Abana also stated that the septic tank that served many plazas and two banks was repositioned to the road to provide alternative access to the disputed land for the new owner.

He said that it is part of the lawlessness being exhibited by the Odogwu lead administration not minding the potential health hazards the repositioned septic tank could pose to the traders and customers as well as the broader implications for law and order.​

When The Guardian visited the spot, construction work had started on the section demolished despite ongoing contention over the land. When Odogwu was contacted on phone, he asked The Guardian to come over to the BBA section of the International Trade fair complex for comment.

However, when The Guardian arrived the section, Odogwu declined comment, saying the Chief Security Officer of the BBA, Kenneth Obi, should speak on behalf of the group. Obi was contacted and he claimed that Abana does not have approval for the section of the land that was demolished.

He maintained that the association does not demolish land legally acquired or allocated to members, stating that the structure removed was an extension added by Abana to his main plaza. He also debunked the claims that items were carted away during the demolition.

He added that if the petitioner felt treated unjustly, he should have reported the matter to the BBA Board of Trustees with the approval and allocation documents and the BOT will look into the issue dispassionately.