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The law firm of Falana and Falana Chambers has refuted the claim by the Attorney-General of Lagos State that neither he nor any agency of the Lagos State Government was served with a court order before the latest phase of demolitions in Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwase Extension, within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development area of Oworonshoki, Lagos.
In a statement issued by counsel Taiwo Olawanle on behalf of the firm, it was stated that the order was granted on October 23, 2025.
According to the statement, the enrolled order was duly served on the offices of the Honourable Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Lagos State, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development before 3 pm on Friday, October 24, 2025, with acknowledged copies received.
“After some hours of serving the court order, our office phone lines were inundated with calls from residents informing us that over 50 armed policemen with heavy-duty vehicles were already stationed around the location to commence a fresh demolition.
“Upon this development, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, placed calls to some top Lagos State Government officials, including the immediate past General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Mr Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, who is now the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development, to intervene by calling off the planned demolition of properties. Mr Oki threatened that the demolition would continue despite the court order and ‘nothing would happen.’
“Assuming without conceding that the Lagos State Government was unaware of the order, they lack the power to demolish any property in Lagos State without a court sanction. Doing otherwise, as in this occasion, amounts to lawlessness and impunity,” the statement read.
The firm cautioned that the Lagos State Government’s failure to comply with a valid court order could lead to chaos and anarchy, eroding public confidence in the judicial system.
In a related development, the firm disclosed that it had written to the Attorney-General and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, proposing a meeting for November 13, to map out modalities for an amicable resolution of the dispute.
A notice of the claimants’ intention to commence legal action against the state government was also attached to the letter.
Falana’s clients, who are the claimants, are members of the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Association, Oworonshoki.
Oworonshoki demolition: Court order was duly served – Falana tells Lagos Govt
