30/10/2025
Oworonshoki Demolition: Lagos Govt Didn’t Violate Any Court Order - Attorney General
…Says False Narrative Against Govt Unfair
…Reveals Compensation Paid To Affected Residents Including Those Without Legal Ownership
Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), has set the record straight regarding allegations that the state government willfully disobeyed a subsisting court order by continuing the demolition of houses in Oworonshoki.
He described the allegations as “false and unfair.”
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Pedro insisted that no agency of the state government was served any court order before the latest phase of the demolition exercise.
He said contrary to reports, the operation did not violate any restraining order obtained by residents.
“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.
“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,” he explained.
The demolition exercise commenced after the state government announced that it had compensated about 80 property owners on Friday.
The government also said, through the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency on Sunday, that it was planning more compensation.
The Attorney General maintained that government agencies cannot act on “verbal notice” of a court decision, insisting that only formal service of court processes can trigger 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 stated.
Pedro also accused some litigants of abusing court processes to obstruct public interest, noting that the government had shown leniency in dealing with affected residents.
According to him, demolition in Oworonshoki began nearly a month ago but was temporarily suspended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to allow residents more time to relocate.
He said the government paid compensation to affected persons even though many could not prove legal ownership of their properties.
“The demolition started almost a month ago. It was stopped by the governor’s directive, and the people were thereafter compensated 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’s plan of demolition over a month ago.
“They only engaged a lawyer belatedly, possibly using the same compensation funds paid to them by the government to turn around and sue,” Pedro alleged.
He confirmed sighting a copy of the interim injunction, which he said merely restrained further demolition and was obtained ex parte without the government being heard.
“The order itself seeks to stop the continuation of demolition, which shows that demolition had already taken place. It was obtained ex parte, without the government’s participation, in breach of the principle of fair hearing,” he said.
Pedro added that as of the time of the interview, his office, listed as the first defendant in the suit, had not been formally served with the order.
“I was away in Akure for an official assignment over the weekend, but I called my office to confirm. As I speak, no order has been served. If indeed there is an order, it should be served on the Attorney General first. That has not been done,” he stated.
He also stated that residents alleging illegal demolition must prove legal ownership and compliance with building regulations before claiming any damages.
“None of the people condemning the government has asked whether the demolished properties had building approvals.
“If you build without approval, the law is clear that such structures are illegal and subject to demolition. But we often react emotionally and blame the government for enforcing the law. We should stop using the media to legalise or justify illegality,” he said.
Pedro cited recent cases of building collapse in Lagos as examples of why the government must act decisively against illegal structures to prevent future tragedies.
He explained that part of Oworonshoki land falls within a government scheme, while another portion was excised for the Oba’s family.
“If the structures are within the excised land given to the Oba’s family, it would be wrong for the government to enter. But if they are within the government-acquired area, the government has every right to act. Anyone claiming ownership must show title documents and approved building plans,” he said.
The Attorney General described the public criticism of the demolition as “unfair and sentimental,” maintaining that the government acted within its powers and did not violate any valid court order.
“The government has not deliberately flouted any order. The narrative that we disobeyed the court is false. What we are witnessing is an attempt to blackmail the government for enforcing the law,” Pedro added.