Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the demolition of a property owned by his brother’s company in Ikeja, Lagos, describing the act as a blatant display of lawlessness and abuse of legal process.
The property, which Obi says has been in the family’s possession for over 15 years, was reportedly brought down on Tuesday by unknown agents accompanied by security personnel. According to Obi, the demolition was carried out under the pretext of a court judgment allegedly issued against unnamed individuals—described as “unknown persons” or squatters.
In a detailed account shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi expressed disbelief at the events that unfolded. He said:
“On arrival, I was met by security operatives who tried to stop me from accessing the property. I explained that it belonged to my brother’s company and had been legally owned for over a decade. They claimed to have a court judgment, but when I asked to see it, the judgment was reportedly issued against an ‘unknown person’ and squatters. There was no demolition order or permit.”
He questioned the legality of the process, asking:
“How does a court issue a judgment against an unnamed defendant? How do you sue an ‘unknown person’? No one was served, no specific name was mentioned—yet they arrived with excavators and began tearing down a structure that had stood for over 15 years.”
Obi said that even the demolition contractors could not identify who had ordered the operation. He said he stayed at the site for four hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., waiting to speak with whoever was behind the demolition—but no one came forward.
“I gave them my contact information, asking them to call the person who sent them. Nobody called. The contractor himself claimed he didn’t know who engaged him. Two men eventually showed up, suggesting we go to the police station. Yet, even they could not produce a demolition order. The entire event reeked of impunity.”
Obi linked the incident to a broader issue of lawlessness and human rights abuses in Nigeria, noting how the climate discourages investment and undermines public trust in legal institutions.
“Any society where lawlessness overrides the rule of law cannot be a haven for investors,” he said. “If this can happen to someone with a registered company and all legal documentation, what hope is there for the average Nigerian?”
He also connected the demolition to the ongoing erosion of civil liberties in the country:
“I know firsthand what it’s like to have my human rights abused simply for participating in a presidential election. I can only imagine the daily struggles of small business owners and vulnerable citizens who lack the voice or visibility to fight back.”
Obi recalled a recent conversation with a businessman who chose to invest in Ghana, Senegal, and Benin Republic—but not Nigeria—due to the country’s unpredictable legal environment.
“He said to me: ‘Nigeria is a lawless country. Until we have laws that protect people, no one will invest here.’ That sentiment is deeply troubling—and, sadly, increasingly accurate.”
He concluded with a renewed commitment to justice and reform:
“I remain dedicated to building a Nigeria where lawlessness is a thing of the past, where life and property are protected, human rights are respected, the vulnerable are cared for, and every child has access to basic education. A new Nigeria is POssible.”
