FESTAC: Federal Housing Authority Denies Defying Restraining Demolition Order
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has been accused of demolishing 600 houses in 6th Avenue, Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin in Lagos, despite a court order restricting it from doing so.
The agency, however, has denied breaching any court order, stating that it did not have knowledge of the order and that the claimant’s counsel did not serve the agency any process.
During a hearing held by Justice Akintunde Savage of a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, the counsel to the claimants, Mr Adetayo Bello, informed the court that he had obtained a restraining order, while Mr Chris Ekemezie, counsel to the FHA, denied any knowledge of the order and reiterated that the agency did not breach any court order.
Bello sought an extension of the court order barring the agency from demolishing the claimants’ buildings, but the judge questioned the validity of his request, given that the order referenced by the claimants’ counsel had been breached, as per his allegation. As a result, the plea was not granted.
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The judge adjourned the matter until February 20 to consider the concerns of all parties involved.
This case stems from a motion exparte brought by the claimants in September 2023, seeking a pre-emptive order of injunction against the FHA and LSBCA.
Justice O. J. Awope gave the order after a 40-page affidavit dated September 7 was deposed by the fourth defendant, Alhaji R. A. Balogun, and Thaddeus Idenyi, for the claimants.
The order restrained the FHA from demolishing and/or removing any building or property erected in 6th Avenue Festac Town or any other part of Festac Town.
