Falana and Falana Chambers refutes Lagos Government’s claim, insisting it was duly served with a court order before the Oworonshoki demolition

Falana and Falana Chambers refutes Lagos Government’s claim that it was not served with a court order before the latest round of demolitions in Oworonshoki, describing the state’s action as “lawless” and “an affront to the rule of law.”

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In a statement signed by Taiwo Olawanle on behalf of the firm, the law chambers maintained that a valid court order was granted on 23 October 2025 and properly served on the relevant Lagos State authorities a day later.

Olawanle said the enrolled order was delivered to the offices of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development before 3 p.m. on 24 October 2025, with acknowledged copies received.

“After some hours of serving the court order, our office received calls from residents informing us that over 50 armed policemen with heavy-duty vehicles were already stationed around the area to begin fresh demolitions,” the statement noted.

According to Olawanle, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, reached out to top government officials, including Mr Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, the immediate past LASBCA boss and current Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development, urging them to halt the demolition. However, Oki allegedly responded that the exercise would continue “and nothing would happen.”

The firm stressed that, even if the Lagos State Government were unaware of the injunction, it lacked the power to demolish any property in the state without judicial authorisation.

“Doing otherwise amounts to lawlessness and impunity,” Falana and Falana Chambers asserted, warning that defying a valid court order could foster “chaos and anarchy” and undermine public trust in the justice system.

In a related development, the firm disclosed that it had written to the Attorney-General and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, proposing a meeting for 13 November to discuss an amicable resolution.

The letter, according to the firm, also contained a notice of intention to commence legal action against the Lagos State Government on behalf of the claimants — members of the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Association, Oworonshoki.

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The legal tussle stems from the state’s ongoing demolition exercise on Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwase Extension, within the affected community, which the residents allege violates due process and existing court orders.