Residents secure injunction against further demolition in Festac Town

Residents of 6th Avenue, Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State, have obtained a court injunction halting further demolition in the area, thus safeguarding over 600 houses and preventing the partial demolition of 700 others.

Justice Omolade Jadesola Awope of the Ikeja High Court, sitting as a vacation judge, issued the injunction in the suit marked ID/7396GCM/2023.

The court’s pre-emptive order prevents the first defendant/respondent, whether directly or through agents, privies, assigns, or any special task force, para-military officers, from demolishing or removing any structure in 6th Avenue Festac Town or any other part of Festac Town, pending compliance with the Lagos State High Court Practice Directions No. 2 of 2019 on Pre-action Protocol. Engr Samuel Ahmed, Martinson Realtors Investment Ltd, Alhaji Taoheed Amusa, and Alhaji R. A. Balogun took legal action by filing a motion ex parte, seeking a pre-emptive injunction against the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSBCA).

The claimants listed 10 grounds for the court’s favourable decision, citing the suit’s initiation in accordance with a Supreme Court order in Appeal No: 8C.931/2007, re-initiated through a Writ of Summons and statement of claim on January 26, 2023.

Despite the court’s order, FHA disclosed plans to demolish 677 houses and partially demolish 744 others in Phase 2, Festac Town.

FHA’s South-West Zonal Manager, Mr. Akintola Olagbemiro, made this revelation during a visit to assess building code violations and environmental concerns.

He said despite letters and stakeholder meetings, developers persist in building on swampy land without meeting specific requirements.