Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana, has condemned the demolition of buildings in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos State, describing the action as unconstitutional and a direct breach of a subsisting court order.
Falana, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the demolition, which took place in the Coker and Ojulari communities at midnight on Saturday, violated the fundamental rights of residents who had earlier sought legal protection against forced evictions.
The Lagos State Government had promised to compensate affected property owners before fresh demolition began. However, several structures were reportedly pulled down before any payments were made, leaving many residents homeless.
Falana criticised the Lagos authorities for disregarding due process and the rule of law, noting that the constitution guarantees the right to property and fair hearing.
He said, “It is a gross violation of the constitution and the court’s restraining order for the government to carry out demolitions in defiance of judicial authority. No government is above the law, and any action taken in contempt of court amounts to executive lawlessness.”
The senior lawyer urged the state government to immediately halt further demolitions in Oworonshoki and comply with the court directive, while also ensuring that victims are adequately compensated.
He further called on the National Human Rights Commission and the Nigerian Bar Association to intervene in the matter, insisting that “demolishing homes under the cover of darkness without lawful justification is not only illegal but deeply inhumane.”
Falana concluded by urging affected residents to pursue legal redress to enforce their rights and hold the government accountable for what he termed “an affront to justice and human dignity.”
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