‘Illegal, Unconstitutional and Contemptuous’ — Falana Condemns Lagos Waterfront Demolitions Despite Court Orders
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has called on the Lagos State Government to immediately suspend what he described as unlawful and unconstitutional demolitions of waterfront communities across the state, PulseNets learnt.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Lagos State Government Must Halt Illegal Demolition of Waterfront Properties,” Falana reminded authorities that as far back as June 22, 2017, the Lagos State High Court had declared similar government-backed evictions illegal, following actions that rendered over 30,000 residents homeless.
PulseNets reported that the judgment, delivered by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo (now retired), held that the forced evictions violated the fundamental human rights of the affected residents. The court consequently awarded ₦3.5 million in damages in favour of the victims.
The ruling also placed a clear restraint on any future evictions, a directive Falana noted could have safeguarded nearly 270,000 people living in waterfront settlements from displacement under the guise of urban renewal.
Justice Onigbanjo further instructed the Lagos State Government to meaningfully engage with affected communities and design resettlement frameworks consistent with the state’s own urban regeneration policy, according to details obtained by PulseNets.
Falana also drew attention to a more recent judgment delivered on August 25, 2025, by Justice F.N. Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos. PulseNets learnt that the ruling expressly restrained the Lagos State Government, its agencies, and the Nigeria Police Force from carrying out further demolitions or evictions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, Sogunro, and Iwaya waterfront communities.
The court order, PulseNets was told, was aimed at shielding residents from what was described as a “persistent atmosphere of fear and imminent demolition,” following prolonged disputes over alleged forceful land takeovers without compensation or resettlement.
However, despite these subsisting court orders, Falana accused the state government of continuing demolition exercises, which he characterised as an open defiance of the rule of law.
“The Lagos State Government has persisted in pulling down waterfront structures, including schools and health facilities. These reckless demolition exercises have resulted in loss of lives and the displacement of thousands of innocent citizens,” Falana stated.
He further clarified the legal position on the control of inland waterways, referencing the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Act.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court has clearly affirmed that the National Inland Waterways Authority remains the sole and lawful agency empowered to manage, regulate, and control navigable inland waters and their rights of way across the federation, as provided under Sections 8 and 9 of the NIWA Act,” he said.
Speaking to PulseNets, Falana maintained that since jurisdiction over inland waterways rests exclusively with the Federal Government, any demolition carried out by the Lagos State Government in waterfront areas is “illegal, unconstitutional, and contemptuous,” adding that such actions amount to “a blatant undermining of the judicial arm of government.”
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In pressing for immediate compliance with the court decisions, Falana also reminded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Military Governor of Lagos State v. Chief Emeka Ojukwu, where even a military administration obeyed a court order by restoring possession of disputed property.
“We are compelled to draw Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s attention to this binding precedent,” Falana told PulseNets, stressing that responsible governance is anchored on strict obedience to valid court orders and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.
