Prominent human-rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has accused the Lagos State Government of demolishing more than 100 properties in the Oworonshoki area despite a valid court order restraining any further demolitions.
In a statement released on Sunday, Falana alleged that the government went ahead with the demolitions “in flagrant breach and contempt of the subsisting court order” after being duly notified. He claims that “over 50 armed policemen and thugs” were mobilised, tear-gassed residents protesting the demolitions through the night, and then commenced a fresh round of property destruction.
Falana stated that the nighttime operation was not authorised by any court and led to the destruction of no fewer than 100 homes. He drew parallels with the 1986 case Military Governor of Lagos State & Ors. v. Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu & Anor., where the Supreme Court of Nigeria condemned the Lagos State Government for defying a court order, noting: “Even under a military regime, the Supreme Court strongly denounced such lawlessness … It is therefore unacceptable for a democratic government to repeat the same act of contempt almost four decades later.”
The dispute centres on a demolition injunction issued by the Adegboyega Balogun-led Lagos State High Court on Thursday, which ordered that the state government, its agents and contractors be restrained from carrying out further demolitions or creating third-party interests over properties located on Ojileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Street in the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Area (CDA).
Residents of the area had complained they were yet to receive compensation before demolition proposals. The court’s interim injunction sought to halt the demolition until compensation and legal interests were clarified.
The Lagos State Government has not yet issued a detailed response to Falana’s allegations. Lagos Reporters will continue to follow this matter and provide updates on developments in Oworonshoki.