Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised alarm over the demolition of a property belonging to his younger brother in Lagos, alleging the act was carried out without legal justification or due process.
In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Tuesday, Obi disclosed that the property, owned by his brother’s company and located in Ikeja, had stood for over 15 years before it was abruptly demolished by unidentified individuals.
Obi stated that the demolition was allegedly based on a vague court judgment that made no mention of his brother, the property, or any explicit demolition order.
“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 wrote.
According to Obi, his brother, who had just arrived from Port Harcourt, was barred from entering the premises by security personnel. The former Anambra State governor said he flew into Lagos from Abuja to witness the situation firsthand, only to be denied access and told the demolition was under the authority of a court judgment.
However, he noted that the document provided did not identify any specific persons or properties, nor did it contain a demolition directive.
“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,” Obi queried.
He described the incident as a disturbing sign of “coordinated lawlessness” and “impunity,” lamenting the erosion of legal safeguards in Nigeria. Obi said he remained at the site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. seeking clarification, but no responsible authority stepped forward.
“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,” he added.
Beyond the personal impact, Obi reflected on how such incidents damage Nigeria’s investment climate. He cited a recent conversation with a foreign investor who expressed reluctance to invest in the country due to its “lawless” environment.
“This is not about me or my brother—it’s about what ordinary Nigerians go through every day. If this can happen to someone with a registered company and legitimate ownership, what hope does the average citizen have?” he asked.
Obi reiterated his vision for a reformed Nigeria, where rule of law, property rights, and civil liberties are protected.
As of press time, no government agency had claimed responsibility for the demolition, and no official explanation had been issued. The incident has further fuelled public concerns about arbitrary demolitions and accountability among government actors.
