Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the Lagos State Government to immediately stop what he described as illegal demolitions of waterfront communities, arguing that the actions violate an existing court order.
Falana said several coastal settlements have been demolished or marked for demolition despite ongoing legal proceedings and previous judicial pronouncements protecting residents from forced evictions without due process.
According to him, the destruction of homes and businesses along the waterfront has displaced thousands of low income families who depend on fishing and informal trade for survival. He stressed that development projects must not override fundamental human rights.
The senior advocate pointed to a court ruling that reportedly restrained authorities from carrying out evictions without proper resettlement plans and consultations. He argued that ignoring such orders undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent.
Residents of affected communities say they have lost property, sources of income, and access to basic services. Some claim they were given little or no notice before demolition exercises were carried out.
State officials have previously defended waterfront clearance operations, saying they are necessary for environmental protection, urban planning, and flood control. Authorities also argue that some of the structures are illegally built on government land or in environmentally sensitive zones.
Urban development experts acknowledge the need for better city planning but warn that forced evictions without compensation or relocation plans can worsen poverty and social instability.
Falana urged the government to respect court decisions and engage with community representatives to find humane and lawful solutions. He said development must be inclusive and consistent with constitutional protections.
The situation has once again drawn national attention to the tension between urban renewal projects and housing rights in Nigeria’s rapidly growing cities.
