Reps Erupts in Chaos Over Lagos Trade Fair Land Probe

Reps Erupts in Chaos Over Lagos Trade Fair Land Probe
Deputy Speaker’s ruling sparked outrage and halted proceedings.
The House went into an executive session to restore calm.

Tension gripped the House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 4, as lawmakers clashed over a motion calling for an investigation into the alleged illegal allocation of Federal Government lands at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the motion, sponsored by Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos), sought the establishment of an ad hoc committee to probe claims of criminal land transactions within the complex. However, the proposal immediately met strong resistance from several lawmakers who argued that the House Committee on Commerce already had jurisdiction over such matters and should lead the investigation.

Despite the objections, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, ruled in favour of Kuye’s motion after a voice vote, a decision that sparked outrage across the chamber. Some lawmakers accused the Deputy Speaker of bias and refused to support subsequent motions brought before the House, insisting that due process had been ignored.

The disagreement quickly escalated into a heated exchange, with members shouting across the floor and disrupting proceedings. Attempts by Kalu and other senior lawmakers to restore calm failed, forcing the Deputy Speaker to call for an executive session to address the growing tension behind closed doors.

As of press time, the outcome of the executive session was yet to be disclosed.

The Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, located along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, has for years been at the centre of controversy over alleged illegal land allocations and racketeering involving public officials and private developers. The fresh motion appears to have reopened old wounds and deepened divisions within the Green Chamber.