'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued fresh orders restraining the Lagos State Attorney-General and the Lagos State Special Task Force from demolishing a disputed Lekki seaside property owned by former Minister of Transportation, Admiral Festus Porbeni (Rtd).
Justice Daniel Osiagor, presiding over the matter, reaffirmed the court’s earlier orders from 2021, emphasizing that they remain binding and have not been overturned by any higher court. The property, located at B20, Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, has been at the center of a long-standing legal battle between Admiral Porbeni and the Lagos State Government.
The court directed the Lagos State Government and its agents to:
Cease demolition and interference: Halt all efforts to demolish, evict, or forcibly remove property, equipment, or assets from the premises.
Secondly, end harassment and intimidation: Refrain from any form of harassment, intimidation, or arrests of the plaintiffs’ staff.
Thirdly, restore confiscated property. Immediately return all items, including equipment and boats, unlawfully removed from the site.
Justice Osiagor also warned against any unauthorized allocation or illegal construction on the property by the state or its agents, pending the resolution of the substantive suit.
Despite prior court injunctions, Lagos State authorities allegedly violated the orders. On November 15, 2024, heavily armed personnel from the Lagos State Task Force, accompanied by over 100 hired individuals, stormed the property. Staff were reportedly arrested and removed, while the area was cordoned off for planned demolition.
The plaintiffs’ counsel, Abiodun A. Olatunji (SAN), described the actions as a brazen contempt of court, arguing that they caused irreparable harm to Admiral Porbeni and Admiralty Fleet Limited.
The legal tussle dates back to 2008 when Admiral Porbeni sought approval from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to develop a jetty and boat club at the site. NIWA granted the approval, but conflicts arose as Lagos State authorities began challenging the property’s ownership and development rights.
In 2021, Lagos State officials entered the premises without notice or a court order, marking equipment and structures for removal. This led to the initial court injunction restraining further actions.
Admiralty Fleet Limited and Admiral Porbeni argue that the Lagos State Task Force’s actions amount to trespass and violate their constitutional right to property under Section 43 of Nigeria’s Constitution.
Rights groups, including the Good Governance Alliance Nigeria (GGA-N), have condemned the Lagos State Government’s defiance of court orders. GGA-N criticized the state’s disregard for the rule of law, stating, “This case underscores the persistent overreach of state agencies in defiance of federal legal protections and court rulings, despite a Supreme Court decision affirming federal control over Nigeria's inland waterways.”
The court’s ruling has intensified calls for Lagos State to respect judicial authority and the rule of law. Legal experts warn that continued disregard for court orders could set a dangerous precedent, undermining citizens' trust in the justice system.
For now, Admiral Porbeni’s property remains under legal protection as the court prepares to address the substantive issues in the ongoing case.
