NDLEA Beams Searchlights Over Illegal Substances
Patrons of Columbia Nightclub, an upscale Lagos nightclub, were caught unawares Monday night following a distraining order from Lagos State Government in apparent renewed crackdown on environmental offences in the state.
The sealing off was enforced by officials of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The white-painted building is located at 273, Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, Lagos.
It neighbours the headquarters of Zenith Bank.
Investigations revealed that the LASEPA action followed an SOS by “concerned residents” of the adjoining streets over unbearable “ear-splitting” noise pollution from the club’s mega-decibel loudspeakers “all night and throughout the week”.
Among them are said to be senior citizens who began to suffer mental health issues on account of inability to sleep at night for days on end.
Many residents also lamented “traffic gridlock” fomented by the club patrons at night as the property has little or no space for parking.
Following LASEPA crackdown, new concerns are emerging as to whether the club owners had secured permit to convert the property to high-traffic commercial purpose let alone operate a nightclub.
LASEPA shutdown appears only half of the headache of the club owners as credible sources told us Columbia Club may have also come under the heavy searchlights of NDLEA, the anti-narcotics agency, over allegations of trafficking/use of illegal substances at the club.
Efforts to get the club’s reaction were abortive at the time of filing this report as no one was around when our reporter visited, as the club’s door was cordoned off with LASEPA ribbon.
