Community Sues Federal Government N100 Billion For Demolition Of Properties

By SaharaReporters, New York Atinporomeh community located along the Badagry expressway has sued the Federal Government N100 billion for demolishing over 1,500 houses in the community. The lawyer representing the community Barrister Declan Kemdirim made this known while addressing journalists at the site of the demolished community. Barrister Kemdirim said the demolition was carried out by 3am on the 16th of December 2013 by men of the Nigeria Police Force who claimed to be the new owner of the land. "The Baale of Atipo Rome and Mowo-Morogbo were served a notice of eviction in the evening of 14th December 2013 that stated they were encroaching on the land of the Nigeria Police Force located at Agemowo/Agelado Mowo Badagry and the eviction letter was signed by one Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) F.G. Ogundeji. The letter was served to the wrong persons because the alleged police land was different from where the letter was served." Barrister Kemdirim further explained that the community wrote back to the Police on the 15th of December 2013 to inform them the letter was wrongfully addressed but in the early hours of 16th December 2013 the community was demolished. "The Police is an organ of the Federal Government and we will not allow this barbaric act of injustice to the poor and voiceless. Our Clients have been rendered homeless overnight by a government that has no affordable housing policy for its citizens", he concluded. The Chairman of the Community Development Association CDA in Atinporomeh Chief Charles Adu lamented that over 250 men of the Nigeria Police fully armed stormed the community with 4 Black Maria vehicles, 18 Hilux Pick-up Vans and 15 bulldozers led by the Area Commander, Area K Police Command Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Osun Ekpo. Chief Adu said residents were not allowed to salvage any property from their homes before it was demolished and those that protested were beaten up and detained for two days before they were released. He appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to ensure justice in this inhuman act meted on them by the Nigeria Police Force, because so far two house owners have died due to shock as a result of the demolition of there houses. "It is very sad and unfortunate that this is happening in a country that claims to practice democracy. We have never seen such before even in the worst military dictatorship" he added. The Secretary General of Lagos Marginalized Community Forum LAMCOFOR, Comrade Ishola Musbau highlighted that forced eviction violates several internationally and regionally recognized human rights, principally the right to adequate housing. This includes the United Nations Commission on Human Rights which declared that forced eviction constitutes a gross violation of human rights. Comrade Musbau pointed out that in over 15 years of civilian rule in Lagos state, forced eviction has continued to gain irresistible momentum leaving several citizens homeless and resulting in death of some residents during such exercise. He expressed displeasure that most demolition carried out in the state were done in utter disregard for court orders and legally binding commitments that obligate the state to uphold and respect the rule of law and human dignity. Comrade Musbau believes this has continued to increase fears in the minds of people across Lagos state as they do not know the specific community that may be the next victims. Our correspondent observed that some affected residents sleep in the open place and under trees. There are also reports that since the demolition some homeless residents have been attacked by robbers