Falana Accuses Lagos Govt Of Ignoring Court Order Over Oworonshoki Demolitions

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has condemned the Lagos State Government for demolishing buildings in Oworonshoki despite a court order restraining it from doing so.

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Falana described the midnight demolitions in the Coker and Ojulari areas as unconstitutional, saying they violated residents’ rights to own property as guaranteed by Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

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He said his law firm had obtained a restraining order from the Lagos High Court last Thursday, but government officials proceeded with the demolitions on Saturday night. According to him, this act showed total disregard for the rule of law.

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Falana added that only a court or legally constituted tribunal can authorise such demolitions, not governors or ministers.

The Lagos State Government, however, denied disobeying any court order. Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso said the operation targeted illegal structures on drainage channels and road setbacks as part of an ongoing urban renewal programme.