According to a statement issued by Falana, Justice A.G. Balogun of the High Court of Lagos State, sitting in Ikeja, had on October 23, 2025, granted an injunction restraining the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) from further demolishing buildings located on Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Area, Oworonshoki.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has accused the Lagos State government of gross contempt and flagrant disobedience” of a valid court order after officials allegedly carried out midnight demolitions in Oworonshoki despite an injunction restraining them.
According to a statement issued by Falana, Justice A.G. Balogun of the High Court of Lagos State, sitting in Ikeja, had on October 23, 2025, granted an injunction restraining the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) from further demolishing buildings located on Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Area, Oworonshoki.
Falana said the court order, which was “duly served” on the defendants the following day, was brazenly ignored as the state government mobilised over 50 armed policemen and thugs to the area late at night.
“In flagrant breach and contempt of the subsisting court order and upon the service of the court order on them, the defendants mobilized over 50 armed policemen and thugs who fired teargas throughout the night to disperse those protesting the demolition and proceeded to commence a fresh demolition.
“The demolition, which was carried out in the dead of the night, has led to the destruction of not less than 100 properties with many families displaced. The action of the demolition squad was not authorised by any court,” Falana said.
He added that the demolition, which took place in the dead of night, led to the destruction of more than 100 properties, leaving many families displaced and without shelter.
The senior lawyer compared the action of the Lagos authorities to the infamous 1986 Supreme Court case, Military Governor of Lagos State & Ors. v. Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu & Anor, where the apex court condemned the Lagos government’s contempt for due process even under a military regime.
Citing Justice Obaseki JSC’s pronouncement in that historic ruling, Falana recalled: “In the area where the rule of law operates, the rule of self-help by force is abandoned. Nigeria, being one of the countries in the world, even in the third world which proclaim loudly to follow the rule of law, there is no room for the rule of self help by force to operate.
“Once a dispute has arisen between a person and the government or authority and the dispute has been brought before the court, thereby invoking the judicial powers of the state. it is the duty of the government to allow the law to take its course or allow the legal and judicial process to run its full course,” Falana quoted.
The rights advocate described the Oworonshoki demolition as a sad reminder of the Lagos State government’s long-standing disregard for the judiciary and warned that such lawlessness undermines democracy and citizens’ faith in the legal system.
SaharaReporters had reported how some armed policemen together with thugs attacked residents of Coker Street in the Oworonshoki area.
This was as the Lagos State Task Force resumed its demolition activities in the Oworonshoki area, sparking fears of violence and displacement among residents.
SaharaReporters learnt that the residents were attacked violently while resisting the demolition. They were brutalised by the police and armed thugs.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to SaharaReporters, they had described scenes of chaos and desperation, with teargas deployed in Miyaki and demolition underway in Ojeleru.
“I just hope it won’t turn violent,” a resident said, voicing concerns for the safety of those being forced out of their homes.
“They are teargas canisters at Miyaki. Teargas is everywhere. It seems demolition has started in Ojeleru.”
The Lagos State government has been criticised for its handling of the demolition, with many residents left homeless and seeking shelter elsewhere.
The demolition has widened the accommodation gap in Lagos, with over 7000 housing units lost.
Residents have appealed to the government for help, citing lack of alternative accommodation and livelihood support.
“We’re not just losing our homes, we’re losing our livelihoods and our sense of community,” a resident said, fighting back tears.
“What will we do without a place to call our own?”
The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered the task force to stop further demolition, but the government has continued its activities, sparking outrage among residents.
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