Vacate Porbeni’s Lekki Property, Court Gives Fresh Orders to Lagos Govt

Vacate Porbeni’s Lekki Property, Court Gives Fresh Orders to Lagos Govt

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday, had issued fresh orders that restrained the Lagos State Attorney-General and the Lagos State Special Task Force from demolishing the contested seaside property owned by former Minister of Transportation Admiral Festus Porbeni (Rtd).

Justice Daniel Osiagor, presiding over the case, emphasized that the state authorities must cease interference with the property located at B20, Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki, until the ongoing legal dispute is resolved. 

The court’s intervention comes on the heels of a tumultuous episode last Friday, where heavily-armed mobile policemen and officials from the Lagos State Special Task Force reportedly stormed the property, assaulted employees, and threatened destruction of structures—all in violation of prior court orders.

“The court has reinforced the sanctity of its earlier decisions. Their actions are not just unlawful; they are a blatant disregard for the authority of the judiciary,” stated Abiodun A. Olatunji (SAN), the legal representative for Admiral Porbeni.

In its ruling, the court reiterated that an interlocutory order issued on October 18, 2021, protecting the property remains valid and binding, and that no higher court has overturned it. “We are pleased that the court has recognized the ongoing violation of our rights,” Olatunji added.

The court’s latest directives include a formal cease of demolition threats, a prohibition of harassment or intimidation towards the plaintiffs’ staff, and an order to immediately restore any items unlawfully removed from the property. This includes boats, equipment, and other assets associated with the operations of the Admiral’s business, Admiralty Fleet Limited.

“The court ordered the Lagos State Attorney-General (1st defendant) and the Lagos State Special Task Force (3rd defendant), along with their agents, employees, or anyone acting on their behalf, to cease all efforts to demolish, evict, or forcibly remove assets, property, or equipment from the plaintiffs’ property at B20, Wole Olateju Crescent, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State, until the substantive suit is resolved.

“The court also ordered the 1st and 3rd defendants to stop all forms of intimidation, harassment, or arrest of the plaintiffs’ staff, as well as any forceful removal of equipment, boats, or other items. The defendants were also instructed to halt any illegal construction or unauthorized allocation of the property to third parties,”

An affidavit submitted by Olatubosun Kajogbola, a Senior Litigation Officer at Abdullahi Ibrahim & Co., highlighted a troubling pattern of disregard for the law. “Despite our clear communication regarding the legal status of the property, the Lagos State Task Force chose to ignore the court’s jurisdiction. This has resulted in severe disruption of our business operations,” Kajogbola.

The confrontation surrounding the Lekki property dates back to 2008, when Admiral Porbeni sought approval from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for a jetty and boat club. 

However, tensions escalated considerably when, last September, the state authorities served a contravention notice accusing the plaintiffs of illegal occupation of government land—an assertion firmly denied by the plaintiffs who claim their rights to property ownership are constitutionally protected.

National Periscope earlier reported that Rights groups have condemned the state’s disregard for court orders, raising concerns about the implications for the rule of law in the country.

The Good Governance Alliance Nigeria (GGA-N), in a statement said; “The case raises significant concerns about the erosion of the rule of law in Lagos State and the continued overreach of state agencies in defiance of federal legal protections and court orders, despite a Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the Federal Government’s exclusive authority over Nigeria’s inland waterways,” the GGA-N declared.

As the legal battle unfolds, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with Admiral Porbeni asserting that “the law is on our side” and hoping for a prompt resolution to restore his business operations without further interference from state agencies.