By Micah Jonah
January 26, 2026
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the Lagos State Government to immediately stop the illegal demolition of waterfront properties across the state.
Falana referenced several court rulings, including a June 22, 2017 judgment by the Lagos High Court, which declared previous government-led evictions of over 30,000 residents unconstitutional and awarded N3.5 million in reparations. The court also ordered that future evictions be halted and urged the state to engage affected communities on resettlement plans.
In a more recent judgment on August 25, 2025, the Federal High Court in Lagos restrained the state government and its agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, from carrying out unlawful demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, Sogunro, and Iwaya waterfront communities. The court acted to protect residents from the “continuous threat and fear of imminent demolition.”
Despite these clear rulings, Lagos State has reportedly continued demolishing properties, including schools and medical centres, causing loss of lives and displacing thousands.
Falana highlighted that the Supreme Court, in a January 7, 2024 ruling, confirmed that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has exclusive control over navigable waters in Nigeria. Therefore, the state government’s actions in waterfront areas are illegal, unconstitutional, and show disregard for judicial authority.
He urged Governor Babajide Sanwoolu to comply with the valid court orders and halt further demolitions, reminding the state of precedent cases where government compliance with Supreme Court orders restored property rights to affected individuals.
