Society Editor
By Tolu Adesuwa Igiehon
Chaos and disbelief gripped the Oworonshoki community of Lagos on Sunday after bulldozers, escorted by armed security operatives, rolled into Ajileru, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Streets, reducing more than 70 houses to rubble — despite a valid restraining order from the Lagos State High Court prohibiting any further demolition.
Residents of the affected area, under the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Association (CDA), awoke to the sound of heavy machinery around midnight on Saturday. Within hours, homes that had stood for decades were flattened, displacing hundreds of families, including the elderly, pregnant women, and children.
Court Order Ignored
Just days before the demolition, Justice A.G. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja Division, in Suit No. ID/9910GCM/2025, issued a restraining injunction against the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
The injunction, granted on October 23, 2025, explicitly barred these parties and their agents from demolishing or creating any third-party interest in the disputed properties located in Oworonshoki — pending compliance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Land Matters.
Justice Balogun emphasized the need for both sides to respect due process and maintain the status quo until the next hearing date, December 9, 2025, when compliance reports are expected.
However, in what residents and lawyers have described as “a brazen act of contempt,” the demolition went ahead under the cover of darkness.
Residents Left in Ruins
When reporters visited the area, scenes of devastation were everywhere — walls torn apart, roofs collapsed, and families sitting helplessly beside piles of debris that once served as their homes.
A visibly distraught landlord, Mr. Adewale, recounted his ordeal:
“They came at night — around 1 a.m. — with bulldozers and police trucks. We thought the court had stopped them, but they didn’t care. My children and I ran out barefoot. Everything we worked for is gone.”
A heavily pregnant woman, identified only as Adenike, described the incident as “a nightmare come alive.”
“We were told the court had stopped the demolition, so we stayed home. Then suddenly, we heard loud bangs and screams. They gave no notice, no time to take anything. I ran with my children into the cold night.”
As dawn broke, hundreds of displaced residents were seen sleeping in makeshift shelters and tents, relying on neighbours for food and water.
Community Leaders Condemn ‘Assault on the Rule of Law’
The Itesiwaju Ajumoni CDA issued a statement condemning the government’s actions as “a violation of judicial authority” and “a betrayal of public trust.”
“We are law-abiding citizens. We sought justice in court and obtained an order of protection. Yet, in total disregard of that order, our homes were destroyed,” said CDA Chairman Pastor Jonathan Ojo, one of the claimants in the pending case.
Legal representatives for the community confirmed that Justice Balogun’s injunction remains valid, describing the demolition as “a clear case of contempt of court.”
“The demolition constitutes an affront to the judiciary,” said one of the lawyers representing the residents. “We will file for contempt proceedings and seek sanctions against those who authorized or executed this unlawful act.”
Government’s Silence and Growing Outrage
As of press time, the Lagos State Government had not issued an official statement addressing the demolition or explaining the apparent disregard for the court’s order.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), often responsible for enforcement operations, declined to comment when contacted.
Human rights organizations, including SERAP and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), have reportedly begun documenting the incident and preparing petitions demanding accountability.
“This is not just a housing issue — it’s a constitutional crisis,” said Comrade Femi Falana (SAN), a human rights lawyer. “When government agencies disobey a court order, they send a dangerous signal that no one is above the law. This must not go unpunished.”
Background: A Long Dispute Over Prime Land
The disputed 30-hectare stretch of land in Oworonshoki has long been a contested property, with allegations that certain private developers, in collaboration with government officials, have been attempting to reclaim the area for commercial redevelopment projects.
Residents claim they have occupied the land for over 40 years, paying community levies and holding local permits. However, the state government maintains that many of the structures are illegal encroachments on public land earmarked for urban renewal and infrastructure expansion.
Earlier demolitions in September 2025 had already displaced dozens, prompting the community’s court action and subsequent injunction — an injunction that now appears to have been flagrantly violated.
A Community in Despair
By Sunday evening, what used to be vibrant streets had turned into a wasteland of rubble. Children searched through debris for schoolbooks and toys; women wept over lost belongings; and elders sat silently, watching years of hard labour vanish overnight.
“Deleting a post doesn’t erase optics,” said one analyst in response to the government’s silence. “Likewise, demolishing homes in defiance of court orders erases the credibility of governance itself.”
Residents are now calling on the Federal Government, civil society, and international human rights organizations to intervene urgently, insisting that justice be served and that the rule of law be restored in Lagos State.
The Oworonshoki demolition is no longer just about lost homes — it has become a litmus test for judicial integrity and government accountability in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
When bulldozers move against a court’s command, it is not just buildings that crumble — public confidence in the rule of law is demolished too.
