Lagos State Government Defies Court Order, Demolishes Jakande/Ilasan Estate

The Lagos State Government has carried out demolitions at the Jakande/Ilasan Estate, despite a valid court order restraining such actions. The estate was established to resettle low-income earners displaced from the Maroko community in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The government had committed to resettling the displaced persons permanently in the estate to provide stability and security. However, recent plans to redevelop the estate as part of a mega-city project have sparked controversy.

The residents, represented by legal counsel, have insisted on compliance with the law, including fair compensation. The government proceeded with demolitions without compensating the residents, prompting a court order to halt the demolitions.

Agencies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Ministry of Environment have been reported to be involved in the demolitions, raising concerns about constitutional rights violations and threats to residents' dignity and livelihoods.