Officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development have sealed off a controversial hotel located on Musari Apena Street in the Mafoluku, Oshodi area of Lagos.
The action was taken following persistent protests and a formal petition by residents who accused the developers of illegal conversion of a residential property into a commercial hotel, allegedly in violation of existing zoning laws.
The enforcement exercise, which took place under close supervision, is part of a broader investigation into the legitimacy of the hotel development.
The sealing of the facility comes just days after concerned residents petitioned the ministry, detailing their grievances and demanding immediate government intervention.
In their petition, which was addressed to the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and sighted by Vanguard, the residents described the project as unlawful and detrimental to their safety, environment, and overall well-being.
They expressed fears that the continued operation of the hotel posed serious threats to the peace and order of the community.
The petition partly reads: “We bring to your attention the activities of an unlawful hotel development that is causing grievous harm to the lives of residents.
“This development blatantly disregards zoning and land-use regulations that are in place to protect our community. It has led to severe safety concerns, environmental degradation, and deterioration of our collective well-being.”
The aggrieved residents further accused the hotel operators of contributing to worsening traffic congestion, unregulated construction, noise pollution, and poor waste management within the neighbourhood.
They lamented that the developer had shown no willingness to address these concerns, describing the project as a direct affront to the Town Planning Laws and a dangerous precedent for future violations.
In a swift response, however, the owner of the establishment, Expectant Hotel and Lounge, Mr. Adetunji Soboyede, refuted the allegations leveled against his business.
He maintained that the hotel’s operations complied with the necessary standards and that the conversion of the property from residential to commercial use had received proper approvals from the relevant authorities.
Soboyede stated: “The use of this property has officially changed from residential to commercial, and I possess all the required documents to substantiate this approval.
“The application process began just about a month ago, and it is still ongoing. To mitigate concerns about noise, we have installed noise-proof doors.”
He also disclosed that he had invested over N39 million into the project and had paid all statutory fees. Furthermore, he highlighted the positive economic impact of the hotel on the community, noting that the establishment currently provides employment to over 30 individuals.
“As a responsible business owner, I have made efforts to comply with all relevant regulations. Beyond the investment, the hotel supports livelihoods within the community,” Soboyede added.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has reiterated its commitment to ensuring compliance with urban planning regulations.
Officials assured residents that further investigations would be conducted to ascertain the legality of the hotel’s operations before any final decisions are made.