Lagos govt denies allegations of contempt in Oworonshoki demolition

The Lagos State Government has denied the allegations that it defied a subsisting court order during the recent demolition of structures in Oworonshoki.

Lawal Pedro (SAN), the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, described the claims as “false”, insisting that no government agency had been formally served with any court order before the operation commenced.

According to Pedro, he was aware of the injunction referenced by residents, it had not been served before the demolition exercise.

“As of today, I am aware of the court order they are referring to. However, before the demolition they are complaining about, no government agency had been served. I believe the order was endorsed on Friday, October 24, 2025, the same day the demolition took place,” he said.

“Even if the order was obtained that day, can a government office be served on a Saturday? At that time, no government agency was aware of any such order.”

The Attorney General emphasised that government institutions cannot act on verbal information about a court ruling, noting that only the formal service of court documents can compel compliance.

“If there has been any order said to have been violated, my position is that no such order was brought to the attention of any government agency before the act being complained about,” he maintained.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has accused the Lagos State Government of contempt of court for continuing demolitions in Oworonshoki despite a restraining order.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana explained that on October 23, 2025, Justice A.G. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja granted an injunction prohibiting the state government, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) from demolishing buildings in Oworonshoki, specifically on Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension.

This injunction was intended to remain in place while the state complied with pre-action protocols outlined in the Lagos State High Court Practice Direction No. 2 of 1999.

Falana further alleged that despite being served with the injunction on October 24, state officials mobilized security personnel and thugs to the area.

They reportedly fired tear gas at protesting residents and destroyed more than 100 houses, displacing many families. It was gathered that the demolitions took place on Saturday night, shortly after the state government presented compensation checks to 79 Oworonshoki residents whose properties had been demolished earlier as part of the urban regeneration program.