The management of Nouveau Projects Limited has faulted Gani Fawehinmi Associates’ demand for demolition of the building near the late lawyer’s home at Ikeja GRA, Lagos State.
In a statement, yesterday, Head of Projects of the firm, Morakinyo Abolude, said: “We, the land owners, in conjunction with our developers, have been inundated with several publications in several media outlets and in particular, the recent press release by the coalition of family members and close friends of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) in the dailies on April 25, 2025, with regards to the property in front of the late veteran lawyer’s building on Ademola Close, off Remi Fani Kayode Street, Ikeja GRA.
“We are hereby compelled to state the fact and debunk all the lies told in the articles as same were simply to whip up sentiments and evoke public sympathy.
“It is a fact that building permits can only be granted by the state government through relevant agencies. They determine the type of building/structure approvable in a particular location and the limit in terms of height. An individual cannot be the one to decide what he/she wants to be built around his/her house simply because he/she is a senior citizen.
“Firstly, we want to state that the building in question did not in anyway encroach on their property and it is not a hotel as falsely stated in the press release. The structure is strictly residential apartments duly approved by the Lagos State Government and which is now already fully occupied.
“We meticulously followed all due process and we got our building permits. We also got our stage certifications by LASBCA for every stage of our construction from start to finish, as well as all tests and all relevant information.
“Similarly, all required setbacks for the construction were duly observed and there is no contravention in any way.
“It is also imperative to state that the widow of the late legal luminary has already instituted an action in court against us and the Lagos State Government on this matter to which we have filed and served our defence and have put up appearance.”
“We are quite surprised that despite having instituted an action against us through a learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), they can still resort a media trial and campaign of calumny without waiting for the decision of the court to whose jurisdiction they have already yielded.”
The statement added: “Meanwhile, they have in the past written petitions to all the building control agencies that have all come to serve us notices; carried out inspections and eventually cleared us.
“The allegation bordering on 1,000-litre tanks falling into their premises on several occasions and causing damages to their vehicles and property is untrue.
“We noticed that the perimeter fence between us and the Fawehinmi’s premises was weak and on the verge of collapse. We approached the family who introduced us to the First Trustees as the manager of their estates and with the final say.”
