Residents of FESTAC Town, Lagos, have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for protection, citing ongoing illegal demolitions by officials of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) despite a court order prohibiting such actions.
Represented by their lawyer, Adetayo Bello Esq., the residents decried what they termed the FHA’s “alarming disregard for the rule of law.”
The controversy stems from a court injunction issued by Justice O.J. Awope of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on September 11, 2023. The order explicitly restrained the FHA and its agents from demolishing properties in FESTAC Town’s 6th Avenue and other areas pending the resolution of a substantive suit (ID/7397GCM/2023).
Despite this directive, residents allege that FHA officials have resumed demolitions, resulting in property damage and distress within the community.
“This act not only represents a contempt of court but also a criminal abuse of power that can endanger public peace,” the residents stated through their legal counsel.
The residents urged the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the FHA Zonal Manager and his associates for contempt of court and other alleged offences. They also appealed for immediate police intervention to halt further demolitions and safeguard their rights and properties.
The residents emphasized that the FHA’s actions undermine public trust in the judiciary and violate the fundamental rights of property owners in the area. They expressed hope that the IGP would act decisively to uphold the rule of law and restore order to the affected community.
Efforts to obtain a response from the FHA have so far been unsuccessful. Residents, however, continue to await the intervention of relevant authorities to address the situation.
