The Lagos State Government has said that it seized two houses which have been used to defraud some accommodation seekers in the state.
Making this known at a press briefing to commemorate the first year of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka said that the government had resolved to prosecute any developer or agent caught defrauding members of the public.
Benson-Awoyinka, who is also in charge of the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department, said her office was prosecuting two developers who defrauded members of the public in the Ketu and Mafoluku areas.
She said government had seized their properties, which would be sold to repay their victims.
The special adviser, however, appealed to residents to always patronise agents and developers registered with government.
“We have successfully reviewed the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Law, Cap. L28, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, which provides for the establishment of the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
The essence of this law is to regulate real estate transactions in Lagos State by identifying persons eligible to be licensed as real estate practitioners and provide for the issuance or renewal of annual permits,” she added.
Benson-Awoyinka pointed out that the state had the responsibility of maintaining a register of licensed real estate practitioners and sanctioning unlicensed agents in the state.
