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…moves to sue Lagos government Lagos-based human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has raised concerns over alleged attempts by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to demolish buildings within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Association in Oworonshoki, Lagos. The alarm follows an interim court order issued by the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division, which restrains the state government and its agents from carrying out the demolition or transferring any interest in the disputed community land, measuring approximately 30 hectares. The legal intervention came after residents of the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Area, through their lawyers from Falana & Falana’s Chambers, filed an ex parte application challenging the planned demolition of their properties located at Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension in Oworonshoki. In the suit numbered ID/9910GCM/2025, the applicants, led by Pastor Jonathan Olusegun Ojo, Apostle Jacob Oladele Ola, and eight others, dragged the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and LASBCA before Justice A.G. Balogun. After hearing arguments from counsel for the applicants, Femi Akinyemi, the court on October 23, 2025, granted an interim restraining order stopping LASBCA and other respondents from continuing demolition works or taking further actions on the disputed properties pending the conclusion of pre-action procedures. The enrolled order, signed by Justice Balogun, reads in part: “The Respondents, whether by themselves or through their servants, agents, privies, contractors, and/or representatives, are hereby restrained from continuing with the process of demolition of the properties allegedly belonging to the Applicants, lying and being at Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension located within Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Area, Oworonshoki Area of Lagos State, approximately measuring 30 hectares, pending compliance with the pre-action protocol for land matters.” The court further directed that the Memorandum of Claim and all accompanying documents be served on the respondents within 72 hours, with proof of service filed before the next adjourned date. Justice Balogun adjourned the matter to December 9, 2025, for a report of compliance. Following the court’s order, Falana, through his chambers, wrote to the General Manager of LASBCA in compliance with the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019. In the letter dated October 24, 2025, and signed by Taiwo E. Lawanle, the firm, acting on behalf of the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Association, gave formal notice of the community’s intention to commence legal action if the matter is not resolved amicably. The letter, addressed to LASBCA’s office on Muiz Banire Street, Ikeja, proposed a peace meeting for November 13, 2025, at 2 p.m., to discuss an amicable settlement and prevent further escalation. It reads in part: “We hereby propose scheduling a meeting on November 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. to enable us to map out the modalities needed to settle the issues stated in our attached Memorandum of Claim amicably. “Kindly take this and the attached Memorandum of Claim as due notice of the Claimants’ intention to commence an action against you.” Residents of the Itesiwaju Ajumoni community had alleged that LASBCA officials, accompanied by armed security operatives, had marked several residential and commercial properties for demolition, claiming encroachment on government land. Community leaders, however, insisted that the land was legally acquired and developed, with many property owners possessing valid documentation from the Lagos State government. The dispute reportedly escalated after residents alleged harassment and threats by government officials seeking to evict them without due process, prompting the community to seek legal intervention. ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
