Officials of the Lagos State Task Force were on ground to provide security and arrest culprits during the enforcement exercise on Saturday.
Shodeinde told journalists in Lagos that all properties sealed had been sealed up to four times in the past, but that their owners always broke government’s seal to continue their illegal development.
He said,
On why government sealed De-Golden Guest Hotel, the General Manager said the structure was formerly a residential apartment, saying that the owner of the property at one time began renovating the house without a permit, which led to it being sealed earlier.“This year, we will come hard on defaulters who remove our seals. We will prosecute anybody found on site. Once a building contravenes regulations, anybody found on it will be arrested and prosecuted. To unseal a sealed site is a criminal offence and the penalty is N500,000.”
He said,
Those arrested during the operation were arraigned at the Mobile Court.“To our surprise, when we came, we saw a hotel, the structure has been converted to a hotel without government approval. We sealed the property, but the owner unsealed it again. That is why we are shutting it down now for illegal conversion.”
They all pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in various sums.
Since they could not perfect their bail conditions, they were taken to prison as their cases had been adjourned to 12th February for the commencement of trial.
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