The Lagos State Government has dismissed allegations that it defied a subsisting court order during the recent demolition of structures in Oworonshoki.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), described the claims as “false”, insisting that no government agency had been formally served with any court order before the operation commenced.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Pedro explained that while he was aware of the injunction referenced by residents, it had not been served before the demolition exercise.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The Attorney General emphasised that government institutions cannot act on verbal information about a court ruling, noting that only the formal service of court documents can compel 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 maintained.
However, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) had on Sunday accused the Lagos State Government of contempt of court for continuing demolitions in Oworonshoki despite a restraining order.
In a statement, Falana said that on October 23, 2025, Justice A.G. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, granted an injunction stopping the state government, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) from demolishing buildings in parts of Oworonshoki, including Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension.
The injunction, he said, was issued pending compliance with pre-action protocols under the Lagos State High Court Practice Direction No. 2 of 1999.
Falana further alleged that despite being served on October 24, state officials mobilised security personnel and thugs to the area, firing teargas at protesting residents and destroying more than 100 houses, leaving many families displaced.
NEWSNGR gathered that the demolition occurred on Saturday night, shortly after the state government presented compensation cheques to 79 Oworonshoki residents whose properties had earlier been demolished under the urban regeneration programme.
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