Despite restraining court order, Lagos demolishes over 70 houses in Oworonshoki

Midnight Demolition in Oworonshoki Sparks Legal and Humanitarian Outcry

In a dramatic turn of events that has left hundreds of Lagos residents displaced and outraged, the Oworonshoki community was rocked by the demolition of over 70 residential buildings despite a subsisting restraining order issued by the Lagos State High Court.

The incident, which unfolded under the cover of darkness on Saturday night, has ignited widespread condemnation and raised serious questions about the rule of law and government accountability in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

The affected properties, located at Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Association (CDA), were reportedly razed by bulldozers accompanied by security operatives.

This action came just days after Justice A.G. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, issued an interim injunction in Suit No. ID/9910GCM/2025, restraining the Lagos State Government and its agenciesinclu, ding the Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), from carrying out any further demolition in the area.

Justice Balogun’s ruling, delivered on October 23, 2025, explicitly prohibited the respondents from demolishing the properties or creating any third-party interest over the disputed land, which spans approximately 30 hectares.

The judge emphasized that the restraint would remain in effect pending compliance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Land Matters, as stipulated under the High Court of Lagos State Practice Direction No. 2 of 1999. The applicants, led by Pastor Jonathan Olusegun Ojo and Apostle Jacob Oladele Ola, were directed to serve their Memorandum of Claim within 72 hours and file an affidavit of service before the next hearing date, set for December 9, 2025.

Despite this clear judicial directive, the demolition team reportedly arrived around midnight, catching residents off guard. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and despair as families scrambled to evacuate their homes.

Mr. Adewale, a landlord in the area, lamented that people were forced to sleep outside in the cold, including children and the elderly. A heavily pregnant woman named Adenike recounted fleeing barefoot with her children, losing all her belongings in the process.

Community leaders have denounced the demolition as a blatant violation of the court’s order and a betrayal of public trust. They assert that no compensation or enumeration was conducted prior to the renewed demolition. 

Legal representatives for the community confirmed that the injunction remains valid and warned that the state’s actions constitute contempt of court. Plans are underway to file formal petitions and initiate contempt proceedings against those responsible.

The land in question has long been the subject of a contentious dispute between residents and unnamed developers. The latest demolition has transformed the once-thriving neighborhood into a wasteland, with displaced families scavenging through rubble for remnants of their lives.

The residents have issued urgent appeals to the Lagos State Government, human rights organizations, and the Federal Government to intervene and uphold the sanctity of the judiciary.

This incident underscores the tension between urban development and citizens’ rights, raising critical concerns about governance, legal compliance, and humanitarian responsibility in Lagos State.

As the December court date approaches, all eyes will be on the judiciary to enforce its authority and provide redress to the affected community.