Forced Eviction: Group Highlights How Lagos Govt Ignored Court Orders

Some residents of Lagos State have been rendered homeless after demolition of shanties by the state government in Oko Baba area of Ebute-Metta on September 14.

The demolition exercise was also carried out in Aiyetoro the following day – a community known to be the first Ilaje settlement in Lagos, dating back to 1912.

Many civil society organisations have referred to the demolitions as “forced evictions” of waterfront communities.

On Tuesday, a coalition of civil society organizations and community representatives had condemned the demolitions, calling for an immediate halt to further planned demolitions.

In a joint statement, the group decried the evictions in the two communities, adding that thousands of residents have been displaced, with many now homeless.

The statement was signed by representatives from Justice & Empowerment Initiatives (JEI), the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation, Centre for Children’s Health, Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE), Lagos Urban Development Initiative (LUDI), Global Rights, and Enough Is Enough Nigeria.

With a threat to demolish more waterfront communities for contravention, THE WHISTLER reached out to the group to find out their next line of action, particularly if they are considering filing litigation against the state government on behalf of the affected people and communities.

The Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director, Justice & Empowerment Initiatives (JEI), Megan Chapman, told THE WHISTLER that they have gotten court injunctions to stop evictions in the past, which were not respected by the state government.

He said they are in discussion with the affected communities about how best to protect and safeguard their communities under the current circumstances.

Chapman stated that they now prefer to support communities to negotiate with the government for win-win solutions.

He said, “We are in discussion with the affected communities about how best to protect and safeguard their communities under the circumstances, which are also evolving quickly the last days. While we have taken court action in the face of other eviction threats, and gotten injunctions to stop evictions in the past — we have also seen the government not respect such court orders in the past.

“Therefore, we prefer to support communities to negotiate with the government and bring forward fresh ideas for win-win solutions and alternatives to eviction — the best being in situ upgrading led by the community, sometimes with supporting partner NGOs or development partners, in which the government also has a role to play. We hope the current administration will embrace this approach by engaging communities in meaningful, solutions-oriented dialogue, and break from the past practice of mass forced eviction.”

Chapman, however, mentioned that some of the communities have pending cases in court.

“It is also worth noting that some of the communities have also been represented by lawyers and have matters pending in court,” he said.

According to global rights body, Amnesty International, over 3,000 people were rendered homeless at Aiyetoro.

It called on the state government to halt further demolitions, noting that the uncertainty created by the forced evictions has made the lives of the victims a misery.

“Amnesty International condemns the latest wave of forced evictions by Lagos state government which rendered over 3000 people homeless at Ayetoro community in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA)

“The Lagos state authorities must halt these attacks on poor communities who are being punished for the state’s urban planning failures. The instability and uncertainty created by forced evictions is making their lives a misery as they are left completely destitute.

“Most of the recent forced evictions by Lagos state government were carried out without genuine consultation with affected residents, adequate prior notice, provision of compensation or alternative housing – contrary to Nigeria’s international legal obligations,” the rights body said in a statement.

Similarly, the state 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, on Thursday, called on the state government to halt further demolitions.

Rhodes-Vivour, who accused the government of an inhumane approach to urban development, described the actions of the state as “a systemic failure”.

According to him, destroying homes without providing viable alternatives is counterproductive to sustainable urban growth.