Falana Slams Lagos For Midnight Demolition In Oworonshoki Despite Court Order

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has accused the Lagos State government of violating a court order after more than 100 houses were demolished in Oworonshoki at midnight.

Falana said Justice A.G. Balogun of the Lagos High Court had on October 23 granted an injunction stopping the government, the Commissioner for Physical Planning, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency from demolishing buildings in Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni CDA.

He alleged that despite being served the order, officials mobilised over 50 armed policemen and thugs to carry out fresh demolitions, firing teargas to disperse protesting residents. He said the operation left many families homeless and was done “in brazen contempt of court.”

Falana compared the action to a 1986 Supreme Court case where the court warned against government use of force while a case was pending. He said the latest demolition showed Lagos authorities’ disregard for due process and the rule of law.

Residents told reporters that the police and thugs attacked them while resisting the demolition, leaving many injured and displaced. They said teargas was fired across the area as houses were pulled down.

The demolition, which comes amid Lagos’s housing crisis, has left thousands without shelter. Residents have appealed for government support, saying they lost both homes and livelihoods.

Despite an order from the Lagos State House of Assembly halting further demolitions, the exercise reportedly continued, drawing outrage from rights groups and community leaders.