Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has urged the Lagos State Government to immediately suspend what he described as unlawful and unconstitutional demolitions of waterfront properties across the state, warning that the actions amount to executive overreach and contempt of court.

Falana made the call in a statement, referencing a series of existing court orders restraining the government from forcibly evicting residents or demolishing structures in waterfront communities such as Makoko, Oko-Agbon, Sogunro and Iwaya.

He recalled that on June 22, 2017, a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo (now retired) ruled that earlier government-led evictions were illegal and left more than 30,000 residents homeless.

According to him, the court held that the actions violated the fundamental rights of the affected persons and awarded N3.5 million in damages.

Falana noted that the court also ordered a halt to future evictions, a ruling he said could protect the homes of about 270,000 residents from demolition under the guise of urban renewal. He added that the court directed the state government to consult affected communities on resettlement in line with urban development policies.

In response, the Lagos State Government defended the demolitions in Makoko and other waterfront settlements, describing them as necessary to protect lives, ensure environmental safety and promote sustainable urban development.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, after a government-resident engagement in Lagos, said the interventions were aimed at preventing disasters, enhancing safety and positioning Lagos as a resilient and sustainable megacity.

Addressing claims that the exercise targets the poor, Omotoso said the actions were driven mainly by safety, environmental protection and security concerns, especially in areas with structures built under high-tension power lines or blocking waterways.

“No responsible government can permit habitation under power cables or allow blockages along waterways,” he said.