Onitsha Demolition: Court Fines Council Boss N5m, Orders Restraint

A Federal High Court in Awka has faulted the 2024 demolition of properties in Onitsha, ordering the Chairman of Onitsha South LGA, Emeka Orji, and other respondents to pay N5 million in damages to Lake Petroleum Limited.

In a judgment delivered by Justice B.M.K. Mohammed, the court held that the demolition of buildings and business premises at Ndende Land violated the company’s fundamental rights.

Lake Petroleum told the court the exercise destroyed over 2,300 structures, displaced about 4,000 traders and sand miners, and led to the loss of goods worth millions of naira. It also accused the respondents of ignoring an earlier court injunction restraining further action on the property.

Ruling in favour of the firm, the court declared the demolition illegal and unconstitutional, awarded damages, and issued a perpetual injunction stopping further interference with the company’s property.

Counsel to the applicant, Charles Arinze, said the judgment reinforces the rule of law and cautions authorities against unlawful encroachment on citizens’ rights.