Businessman Decries  Illegal Demolition of Bakery, Demands Justice

Sunday Okobi

A Lagos bakery owner, Cheng Fuller, yesterday called on the federal and Lagos State Government to come to his aid over the demolition of his bakery located at Surulere area of Lagos by suspected thugs.

According to Fuller’s lawyer, OJ Chris, at a press conference, the property was demolished with all the bakery equipment and other valuables as well as the workers still inside the building while the matter was still in court.

He noted that his client, who operates a bakery at No. 24, Olufemi Road, Surulere, holds a valid lease that would expire in 2028, lamenting that despite that, the landlord sold the property to a new person without their knowledge.

The new landlord, according to Chris, appeared one day and said he was the new owner and slammed a seven-day notice to quit the property on his client.

However, he said they responded and the next step was that the new landlord served them a court process to which they also responded and the matter was being handled at a court in Surulere.

He noted that unfortunately while the case was still pending in court, the new landlord organised some thugs and miscreants numbering over 30 to pull down the bakery.

The lawyer lamented that: “He attempted to evict our client through a court action filed in July 2025. We challenged this in court, and a ruling was reserved for late October.

“Unable to wait for the court’s decision, he resorted to barbaric self-help. On Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 6a.m., armed thugs led by Mr. Owei Bime, under the instruction of the new landlord invaded the property, bearing guns, axes, cutlasses and even assault rifles.

“Under the guise of a demolition permit obtained via a false affidavit claiming ownership since 1989, these hoodlums violently assaulted bakery staff, tore down the roof and walls of the building, looted and destroyed industrial equipment and goods worth over N500 million.”

Chris said it was not a government demolition since the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LSPPPA) did not carry out the exercise, adding: “This was a private act of terror using state paperwork as a shield.

“If property owners can bypass the Lagos State Tenancy Law, lie to government agencies to get permits, and use armed thugs to displace tenants while a Judge is still writing a ruling, then the rule of law in Lagos is under threat,” he stated.

He disclosed that three suspects were already at the FCID, Alagbon, where he lodged a criminal complaint.

“While the police have made some arrests, the masterminds, Dr. Asekun, Mr. Owei Bime and Mr. Onaghise, are currently on the run.

“We want the Lagos State Government to investigate the fraudulent procurement of the demolition permit and sanction officials who may have colluded in this illegality.

“We demand the immediate arrest of the principal suspects who are reportedly using ‘connections’ to evade justice.

“We also want the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the fleeing suspects are apprehended and prosecuted, to show that no individual is above the law.

“Our client is pursuing all civil remedies in court, but the criminal destruction of a thriving business and the assault on citizens cannot go unpunished. Lagos must remain a civilised society, not a battleground for land grabbers and thugs,” Chris stated.

While clarifying further on the matter, the lawyer said: “We have made it clear that we are not contesting ownership of the building. We are only saying that we are valid tenants that need to be protected. We have a five year lease that will expire in 2028. We are not contending the ownership of the property with the owner but we are saying that as valid tenants that have a subsisting lease, we should be allowed to enjoy our lease”

However, Fuller, who expressed fear that if the new landlord could organise such number of thugs to carry out that level of brigandage, he was not sure of his safety. He, therefore, called for protection and restitution, adding that: “I hope nothing happens to me or any of my member of staff. If anything happens to me, it is Owei Bime. I am scared of him and his thugs. Please I want the law enforcement agents to fish him out before he comes to squeeze the life out of a struggling businessman like me.”

Fuller, who wept profusely, said: “I want the full course of the law to run. I need to be protected. I have lost property worth over N500 million. Brand new rotary oven, check oven, new mixers and other expensive equipment. They are somebody’s sweat. I want restitution. I want the people who committed this heinous crime to be apprehended and punished.”