Lekki property demolition on June 8 violates court order, IGP asked to investigate police role
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Despite multiple subsisting court orders restraining interference on a disputed parcel of land in Lekki, Lagos, and in utter disobedience to court orders, some individuals armed with knives and machetes, allegedly acting on behalf of a businessman, Prince Donatus Okonkwo and Darabella Limited backed by armed police officers and other uniformed men, reportedly demolished the boundary wall to gain access to the site on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
The incident occurred at B20, Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, a property that is the subject of ongoing litigation at the Federal High Court, Lagos in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1384/2021.
The legal representatives for the current occupants of the property described the incursion as “a brazen act of contempt and lawlessness,” citing the violation of binding judicial orders.
Recall that Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court Lagos had issued multiple injunctive orders restraining the Lagos State Attorney-General, the Lagos State Special Task Force, and their agents or proxies from further interference with the disputed property, pending the final determination of the suit.
The court had also reaffirmed that its earlier interlocutory and vacation orders dated October 18 and November 5, 2021 respectively remain valid and binding, as no appellate court has set them aside.
Specifically, Justice Osiagor’s order restrains the Lagos State Attorney-General (1st defendant ) and the Lagos State Special Task Force (3rd defendant ), from taking any steps to evict, demolish, harass, or allocate the said property to third parties, including the alleged representatives of Mr. Okonkwo and Darabella Limited.
The judge further ordered the return of any property, boats, or equipment removed from the site and the premises restored to its prior state.
It is therefore worthy to note that despite assurances from the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Development and Infrastructure in September 2024 that no enforcement action would be taken pending the court’s decision, another reported disruption happened on November 15, 2024, during which workers were allegedly harassed, arrested and work halted.
Boats and other equipment were moved without proper safety precautions, resulting in very significant and costly damage.
Following this impunity and disregard to rule of law backed by officers of the Ngeria Police, the plaintiffs through their lawyer Abiodun Olatunji (SAN) wrote a petition dated June 4, 2025, to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), detailing what he described as further acts of intimidation allegedly linked to Mr. Okonkwo and Darabella Limited.
These include the securing of an ex-parte injunction from the Lagos State High Court despite their knowledge of the ongoing Federal High Court suit, and serving it on site with armed escorts, which the petition claims created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
According to the petition, the ex-parte order in question was granted on April 7, 2025, but was not served until June 3, 2025.
On that date, individuals said to be acting for Mr. Okonkwo, accompanied by a large contingent of mobile police officers and the court bailiff, reportedly stormed the property to serve the order.
In the petition, the plaintiffs further alleged that the timing of service of the ex-parte order, was an attempt to use the Sallah holiday period when courts were not in session to execute a forceful takeover of the site, which they duly attempted with their breach at about 7:45am on Sunday June 8 , 2025.
This action drew the attention of some legal analysts who criticized the sequence of events, described them as potential forum shopping and an abuse of judicial process, particularly given the fact that Mr. Okonkwo had already applied to be joined in the matter before the Federal High Court, thereby submitting to its jurisdiction.
The petitioners have therefore asked the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the alleged involvement of its officers and ensure that any future enforcement actions are carried out strictly in line with lawful procedures and existing court rulings.
The petition also raises broader concerns about the rule of law in Lagos State and the perceived misuse of state institutions in private disputes.
The underlying dispute dates back to 2008, when Admiral Festus Porbeni, through Admiralty Fleet Limited, reportedly secured approval from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to develop a jetty and boat club on the disputed waterfront land.
The plaintiffs maintain that their continued possession and development of the property is protected under Section 43 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to own and enjoy property without unlawful interference.
With this development, the Federal High Court is expected to consider whether contempt proceedings will be initiated against those alleged to have flouted its orders during the incident that occurred on June 8.
