Lagos Denies Willful Demolition Of Oworonshoki Houses

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, has denied allegations that the state government willfully disobeyed a subsisting court order by continuing demolition of houses in Oworonshoki, describing the claim as “false and unfair.”

In an interview with journalists, Pedro insisted that no court order had ever been served on any agency of the Lagos State government before the latest phase of demolition took place, contrary to reports that the exercise violated a restraining order obtained by residents.

“As of today, I know the court order they are discussing. However, before the demolition exercise they are complaining about, the order was not served on any government agency.

I believe the order was endorsed on Friday, October 24, the same day the demolition occurred. Even if the order was obtained that day, can a government office be served on Saturday? No government agency was aware of any such order at that time,” Pedro explained.

The Attorney General maintained that government agencies cannot act on “verbal notice” of a court decision, insisting that until a formal service of process is made, the government cannot be accused of contempt.

“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 stated.

Pedro criticised what he described as the misuse of court processes against public interest, saying many litigants have resorted to using the judiciary, “as an instrument of oppression,” even when the government has shown leniency.

According to him, demolition in Oworonshoki began nearly a month ago but was temporarily halted at Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive to allow residents time to relocate.

He disclosed that the government had compensated affected persons despite doubts about their legal ownership of the properties.

“The demolition started almost a month ago. The Governor’s directive stopped it, and the people were thereafter paid compensation to enable them to relocate. The case they are now referring to wasn’t even filed until recently, even though they were aware of the government demolition plan over a month ago.”