Peter Obi Accuses Lagos Authorities of Demolishing Brother’s Property Without Court Order

Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has strongly condemned the demolition of a property owned by his younger brother’s company in Ikeja, Lagos, allegedly carried out without any lawful authorization.

Obi shared the development on his verified X account, stating that the property, which had been in place for over 15 years, was abruptly brought down by unidentified individuals. He said the demolition was supposedly based on a questionable court judgment that neither mentioned his brother, the company, nor issued a clear demolition directive.

He recounted being alerted by his brother on Tuesday morning about the ongoing demolition. Despite rushing from Abuja to Lagos to witness the incident firsthand, Obi was reportedly denied entry to the site and told the act was backed by a court order. However, he challenged the validity of such a ruling, describing it as vague, targeting unnamed squatters and lacking legal clarity.

“How can a court sue an unknown person and then authorize the demolition of a property without due process or service?” Obi questioned.

He lamented the absence of any known agency taking responsibility or presenting official documentation. According to him, even the contractor on-site couldn’t identify who commissioned the demolition.

Obi described the ordeal as a symptom of Nigeria’s worsening descent into impunity, labeling it “coordinated lawlessness.” He said he stood at the scene for hours without anyone stepping forward to justify the action.

Two men eventually approached and suggested they go to a police station, but neither could produce any official demolition order.

He expressed broader concern for the implications of such acts on business confidence and the safety of private investments in Nigeria. Obi mentioned speaking with an investor who refused to engage in Nigeria due to its reputation for lawlessness, citing this incident as an example of the dangers faced by citizens.

“This isn’t just about me or my brother. If a company with documented ownership can face this, what hope does the average Nigerian have?” he asked.

He concluded by reiterating his commitment to building a law-abiding Nigeria where civil rights and property ownership are protected under the rule of law.

As of the time of reporting, no Lagos government agency had claimed responsibility for the demolition, and no official explanation had been offered.