Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has bemoaned the illegal demolition of his younger brother’s company property in Ikeja, by the Lagos State Government, describing Nigeria as a lawless country.
Obi decried what he called the increasing disregard for the rule of law and civil rights in the country, warning that Nigeria’s deteriorating human rights indicators and weak institutional protection could deter both local and foreign investments.
The former Anambra State Governor, in a post via his X handle, said that “any society where lawlessness overrides the rule of law is not destined to be a haven for investors.”
He said: “Recent reports showing that Nigeria’s human rights indicators have worsened merely highlight severe shortfalls in government protection for civil liberties, personal security, and basic living standards.”
Obi recounted how he was alerted on Tuesday morning by his younger brother that a group of unknown individuals had invaded the company premises, and commenced demolition of a company-owned property in Ikeja.
According to him, his brother who had just returned from a trip to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was reportedly denied access to the building by security men on site, who told him that demolition had already started over the weekend.
Obi said himself had to cut short his engagement in Abuja and rushed to Lagos only to also be almost barred from accessing the company premises.
“I rushed to Lagos from Abuja after the call this morning and headed straight to the property. On arrival, I was met by security people who tried to bar me from entering.
“I pleaded with them, explaining the property belonged to my brother’s company and had been in his possession for over a decade.”
According to Obi, when he requested to see the legal backing for the demolition, the security personnel claimed a court judgment existed—but it was reportedly issued against an “unknown person” and squatters, with no identifiable defendant or name served.
“How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a farce of a case?” Obi asked.
He said: “No one was served. No name was written. Yet they showed up with excavators and began destroying a structure that had stood for over 15 years.”
Obi further explained that he tried to speak with the contractor or authorities behind the demolition, but was met with silence and confusion.
“I stood there from 10am to 2pm, waiting for someone to call. Nobody did. The contractor even said he didn’t know who sent him. It was a coordinated display of impunity,” Obi lamented.
The LP presidential candidate and major face of Opposition in Nigeria, reflected on a recent conversation with a businessman who operates across West Africa but refused to invest in Nigeria due to the prevailing hostile business atmosphere.
“He told me plainly: Nigeria is a lawless country. Until we have laws that protect people, nobody will invest in Nigeria.”
Obi wondered if Nigeria still has law and order.
“What kind of country are we trying to build when the rights of citizens, their lives, their properties, and their voices are trampled upon daily?”
Obi, however, reaffirmed his vision for a new Nigeria, expressing faith that Nigeria will still thrive under a responsible leadership.
“I remain committed to a better Nigeria where lawlessness will be a thing of the past, protection of life and property, respect for human rights, care for the less privileged, and basic education for all children,” Obi said.
Recall that shortly before and after the 2023 polls some markets dominated by Igbo traders in Lagos went up in flames, and the authorities were yet to prosecute anybody for the strange development.
Below is the full text of Peter Obi’s post:
“Any society where lawlessness overrides the rule of law is not destined to be a haven for investors. Recent reports showing that Nigeria’s human rights indicators have worsened merely highlight severe shortfalls in government protection for civil liberties, personal security, and basic living standards.
I know what I have been going through as a person in abuse of my human rights just because I contested a Presidential election which I have legitimate rights to do. So I imagine what small business owners, regular citizens, and vulnerable communities face every day. If this level of lawlessness can happen to someone with a registered company and legitimate means, what hope does the ordinary Nigerian have?
This morning, my youngest brother called me frantically, informing me that a group of people had invaded his company property in Ikeja, Lagos, and were demolishing the building. He had just come in from Port Harcourt and was denied entry to the property by security men who told him the building was being pulled down. They even informed him that this demolition had started over the weekend. As a peace-loving Nigerian, he quickly started processing to go to court immediately, not knowing what must have resulted in this, as they moved fast to destroy his home without any restraint.
I rushed to Lagos from Abuja after the call this morning and headed straight to the property. On arrival, I was met by security people who tried to bar me from entering the property. I humbly pleaded with them that the property belonged to my brother’s company, and from the records, the company had owned the property for over a decade. They told me they had a court judgment, and I immediately requested it. You would not believe that the court judgment they claim was issued against an unknown person, and squatters. I went further to ask about a demolition order or permit, and there was none.
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 and began destroying a structure that had stood for over 15 years.
I immediately asked the excavators for the person who had sent them, and they said they didn’t know anyone, but they were only informed to come and demolish the house. I immediately told them to tell whoever it is that I would like to speak with them, if they can call my number, which I shared with the excavators, so that I can speak with whomever gave them the order to demolish the property.
I stood there from 10am to 2pm, waiting to get a call at least and nobody called or came. The contractor even said he didn’t know who sent him. Two men later came and said they would like us to go to a police station. I asked if they even had a demolition order but they had nothing. The whole situation screamed of coordinated lawlessness and impunity. Our country has become lawless.
I just started reminiscing about how just over the weekend, I had a meeting when someone told me how he has investments in Ghana, Senegal, and the Benin Republic, but won’t touch Nigeria despite his market being here. I asked him why. His answer was piercing: “Nigeria is a lawless country. Until we have laws that protect people, nobody will invest in Nigeria.”
I am just shocked. How did Nigeria get to this level of lawlessness?
What kind of country are we trying to build when the rights of citizens, their lives, their properties, and their voices are trampled upon daily?
I remain committed to a better Nigeria where lawlessness will be a thing of the past, protection of life and property, respect for human rights, care for the less privileged, and basic education for all children.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO”
