The Lagos State Building Control Agency, LABCA, has described allegations by the parents and staff of St. Margret Group of Schools regarding alleged detention of staff of the school and sealing or demolition of structures within the school premises as baseless, unfounded, and without merit.
LABSCA is saddled with the statutory responsibility of enforcing the building control regulations in Lagos State.
The agency categorically denied the allegations in statement by LABSCA General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, through the Director Public Affairs, Olusegun Olaoye on Sunday.
The statement reads: "St. Magret School along Ebute Road, Ikorodu was visited by officials of the Agency on the 27th March, 2024 during a routine monitoring exercise at about 12:48 noon for the purpose of ascertaining the renovation works found to have been carried out in the school premises to ensure compliance with the regulatory provisions of the law.
"Upon getting to the gate of the school, officers of the agency introduced themselves to the security guard at the gate and requested to see a management officer of the school. The security guard went in and a man who is referred to as the School Administrator came with him.
"Before the school administrator came in, officers were having a video recording and pictorial evidences of the infraction within the premises from the gate. The School Administrator (One, Mr. Daniel Sunday) came with an aggression and without listening to the officers started shouting what do you want. You are kidnappers!" You are thieves, and all sort of unprintable names.
"He seized the phones from the four officers and damaged one of the phones by smarching it on the floor.
"He ordered the security men and some teachers to drag the officers into one of the rooms and lock them up. All the four officers were assaulted, injured and detained in the room and thereby obstructed the officers from carrying out their lawful duties within the school premises.
"A video evidence of the assault and false imprisonment was recorded and attached to this rejoinder. The driver that drove the officers to the site made a distress call to the head office and raised alarm over the false imprisonment of officers by the School Administrator and some other officers of the school.
"Upon getting the report, the GM directed the enforcement team who were on an assignment at Eti-Osa to go to the School to rescue the detained officers. The officers were detained for over three hours until the enforcement team came with Police Officers to rescue them around 4:30 pm.
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"When the enforcement team came to the premises, the School Administrator locked up everywhere and has organized members of staff of the school to attack the team.
"The Police men attached to the enforcement team had to arrest the School Administrator and some of the school's members of staff who attacked them and sealed off the school until issues are resolved.
"It should be noted that at no point during the visit to the school premises was the officials of the agency engaged in inappropriate behavior or misconduct of any kind.
"The School Administrator and those that were arrested were arraigned on the 28th March, 2024 before a Special Offences Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi for a five count charge including assault, obstruction of public officers from carrying out their lawful duties and acts likely to cause breach of peace.
"The suspects were granted bail by the Court. The Lagos State Building Control Agency remain steadfast in its commitment to upholding fairness, justice, and the rule of law in all its interactions and dealings.
"We trust that the truth will prevail through the proper channels of investigation and adjudication in this matter.
"In conclusion, we emphatically refute the allegations made by St. Magret School and reaffirm LASBCA's unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability in the execution of our duties."
