Exclusive: Pearl Gardens Estate Lekki defies court order, bars residents from their homes
– Pearl Gardens Estate is located in Sangotedo in Lekki Lagos
– The estate is managed by CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company
– Residents have accused CMB of contract violations
This is Pearl Gardens Estate gate in Sangotedo where residents are in dispute with management over violations of existing agreement
A running dispute between homeowners in Pearl Gardens Estate Sangotedo, Lekki and CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company, the developers of the estate almost turned violent at the weekend.
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The owners had gone to protest the punitive measures imposed by the management of CMB properties, the developers of the estate when a mobile policeman attached to the estate gate stood menacingly with his AK47, daring the homeowners to come close.
Mr. Kelechukwu Mbagwu seen in this picture is the MD of CMB owners of Pearl Gardens Estate Sangotedo. Residents have taken his company to court
The drama, which played out at the gate of the estate was the climax of an ongoing dispute between the home owners of Pearl Gardens and the management. The dispute is also the basis of a court case instituted by the homeowners that seeks to put a restraining order on CMB.
This gun wielding policeman attached to Pearl Gardens gate prevents residents from gaining entry into their property in violation of a Lagos court order
The restraining order, granted by a Lagos, which has been granted stops CMB from implementing punitive practices such as the imposition of a levy before they move into their homes. They also complained about imposition of other levies before owners are allowed to build on their land.
The landlords are also aggrieved that the management is forcing them to pay an exorbitant levy of N650, 000 for water. This fee must be paid before a home owner is allowed to move into the estate.
Kelechukwu Mbagwu is the owner of CMB. Residents have alleged rights violation on his part
The amount which is meant to provide pipe borne water to residents is never used for the purpose. Instead of pipe borne water, a water tanker allegedly distributes unclean water to residents .
The homeowners hope to redress this in court. Effort to get the management of CMB proved abortive as at the time of writing this. But according to information on their website, the company is a building maintenance and investment company.
READ ALSO: Residents attacked over land dispute
The Pearl Garden Estates at the center of the dispute ‘’ is CMB’s flagship development. Pearl Gardens Estate, Sangotedo is situated on 28 hectares of land and was designed as a site and service scheme comprising 365 plots.
The provision of infrastructure and amenities was concluded in 2009. Since then, CMB has been responsible for the construction of bungalows, townhouses, detached and semi-detached duplexes for plot owners within the scheme.
The estate is characterized by its inviting ambience and residents enjoy the benefits of the infrastructure including interlocked roads, designated walkways, water treatment plant, round the clocks security, profusion of greenery for recreation and relaxation and so much more.
To ensure the maintenance of the aesthetics, CMB has deployed its Facilities Management unit to manage the estate and its facilities’’
But the above mission is said to have been breached by CMB, the management of Pearl Gardens which now forms the basis of litigation. The dispute also highlights the challenges faced by Lagos residents in the impunity by developers who thrive in the chaotic and corrupt ridden Lagos property market.
CMB owned by Kelechukwu Mbagwu is the developer of Pearl Gardens Estate Sangotedo in Ajah Lagos
It is a shame that the management of CMB will prevent home owners from accessing their homes in violation of an existing court order. The company’s blatant disregard for the law of the land and disrespect for court order must be viewed seriously by the authority concerned. Imposing arbitrary water levy to lay pipe borne water and later turn around to supply water in tankers is condemnable.
Houses in Pearl Gardens Estate
More worrisome is the attitude of CMB workers at the gate who spoke rudely to homeowners and even attempt to manhandle them. It is hoped that the Managing Director of the company, Kelechukwu Mbagwu will do the needful to first respect the court order restraining his company from collecting the any form of levy and preventing them from accessing their homes.
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