Lagos State authorities have sealed off Purple Mall in Lekki following the tragic death of 28-year-old Obinna, who plunged from the facility’s multi-level car park on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The victim, a frequent visitor to a gym inside the mall, reportedly fell after driving through a poorly marked exit route on the fifth floor.
According to the victim’s mother, Obinna was directed by security personnel to park on the top-level floor. Surveillance footage reviewed by family members and law enforcement officials showed him driving at a moderate speed before his car veered off the structure and plummeted several stories down. The lack of visible or adequate signage is now a major focus of the ongoing investigation.
Conflicting narratives have emerged since the incident. Mall management allegedly claimed Obinna refused valet service, but this has been countered by an eyewitness — a friend who was directly behind him — who confirmed that both men were explicitly told to self-park by staff at the entrance.
Rescue efforts reportedly delayed for over 30 minutes before Obinna was extracted from the wreckage. He was later pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital, further raising concerns about emergency preparedness and mall safety protocols.
On Wednesday, July 2, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources moved to shut down the premises pending the outcome of a detailed safety audit. Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab confirmed the deployment of a special technical team to inspect the facility’s structural integrity and determine if negligence or code violations contributed to the fatal incident.
“The state will not compromise on public safety,” Wahab declared. “All commercial establishments must meet clearly defined safety standards or face the consequences under our laws.”
This tragedy has sparked citywide debates about safety enforcement in high-traffic malls and mixed-use developments. Experts say the incident could mark a turning point in how Lagos handles commercial compliance, especially as similar facilities continue to expand across urban districts.
Purple Mall is owned and operated by Purple Group, a real estate and retail brand known for blending shopping, entertainment, and wellness services aimed at Nigeria’s growing middle class.
