Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns about alleged illegality and impunity after a building belonging to his youngest brother was demolished in Lagos State without any court-authorized demolition order.
Obi made the disclosure on Tuesday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, expressing dismay over what he described as a brazen act of “coordinated lawlessness.” He stated that the demolished structure, situated in Ikeja, had been legally owned and operational for more than 15 years under his brother’s company before it was suddenly brought down by unidentified agents.
“My Brother’s Property Was Destroyed Without Due Process” – Obi
Narrating the incident, Obi revealed that he was contacted frantically by his brother, who had just arrived from Port Harcourt, only to find that the property was being demolished. Security personnel reportedly blocked him from accessing the premises, stating that the action was sanctioned by a court order.
However, upon flying into Lagos from Abuja to see the situation for himself, Obi was similarly denied entry and found no valid court documentation authorizing the demolition.
“How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a farce of a case? No one was served. No name was written. Yet they showed up with excavators,” Obi questioned, visibly outraged.
He further described how he waited for hours at the demolition site—from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., hoping someone from the responsible agency or legal authority would arrive. No one showed up.
“Even the contractor on site didn’t know who ordered the demolition. Two men eventually approached me and suggested we go to a police station, but they had no documents. Nothing. The whole situation screamed of impunity,” he said.
Beyond the personal loss, Obi emphasized the broader implications of such incidents for Nigeria’s business and investment climate, recalling a conversation with a foreign investor who cited Nigeria’s lawless environment as a deterrent to bringing capital into the country.
“This is not about me or my brother—it’s about what average Nigerians endure every day. If a registered company with legitimate documents can be treated this way, what future is there for SMEs or property owners without political influence?”
He decried the situation as reflective of a systemic erosion of due process, warning that continued disregard for legal norms will only deepen investor distrust and fuel socioeconomic instability.
As of the time of filing this report, no Lagos State government agency has acknowledged responsibility for the demolition, and no official explanation or court order has been made public. The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) have remained silent on the matter.
Legal experts have also weighed in, noting that demolition of any structure requires a valid order from a competent court, proper identification of parties involved, and reasonable notice to occupants or owners—none of which, according to Obi’s account, was followed.
Reaffirming his long-standing advocacy for structural reform and legal accountability, Obi pledged his commitment to building a “New Nigeria” where the rights to property, due process, and fair hearing are preserved.
“A country that ignores its own laws cannot thrive. We must restore rule of law, not just for political campaigns but in real governance. The average Nigerian deserves to live in a country where justice is not selective,” he concluded.
This incident adds to growing public concern over the recurring cases of arbitrary demolitions across Nigeria, where properties are razed without clear legal backing, often resulting in loss of investments, displacement, and public outrage.
Civic groups and legal advocates have called on the Lagos State Government to immediately investigate the demolition and hold any individuals or agencies accountable if found culpable of overreach or abuse of power.