KEY POINTS

• Residents of Festac stage protest over alleged FHA court order violations, petition IGP.
• Festac Extension 6th Avenue court injunction forbids demolitions.
• They demand protection of their rights and of their properties.

Residents of Festac Town, Lagos State have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to sanction the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) over the alleged disregard of a court injunction.

Mr. Adetayo Bello, their lawyer, says residents accuse the FHA of continuing demolitions in Festac Extension’s 6th Avenue, despite an order the Lagos State High Court had given to stop the action.

According to the petition, it names specifically the FHA Zonal Manager, Akintola Olagbenro, Chief Chuka Umenne, and Coach Sesi, as the relevant personalities that refused to comply.

Demanding Action Against FHA’s Alleged Contempt

The restraining order, granted by Justice O. Awope on September 11, 2023, prohibits the FHA from demolishing buildings in 6th Avenue or other Festac areas until the substantive case, No: ID/7397GCM/2023, is resolved.

The FHA’s actions constitute a ‘criminal abuse of power’, a ‘contempt of court,’ and threaten public peace and they call on the police to investigate and hold the accused to account.

Illegal demolitions violate residents’ rights

They are also calling for immediate steps to prevent further demolition and protect the people’s properties. The petition described this act as one that not only bypasses the court, but threatens public order.

Last week, lawyer Adetayo Bello said the matter was urgent and the Nigeria Police Force must ensure they comply with the court injunction. Residents say failing to move quickly risks devastating consequences and worse frictions in the community.

The petition also reasserts that subversion of judicial authority is a dangerous subversion of the social order.