BREAKING: Peter Obi Fumes Over Demolition Of Younger Brother’s Multi-Billion Naira Company In Lagos
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised alarm over what he described as growing lawlessness and disregard for human rights in Nigeria, following the demolition of his brother’s property in Lagos without notice or a valid court order.
In a detailed post on his X handle on Tuesday, June 24, Obi expressed shock over the incident and used it to highlight the country’s deteriorating civil liberties.
“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,” Obi wrote.
According to him, the demolition was already underway when his brother arrived from Port Harcourt and was denied entry by security men. They claimed the exercise 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,” Obi added.
The former Anambra State governor said he rushed to Lagos from Abuja and went straight to the property, only to be confronted by security personnel who tried to bar him from entering.
Despite his explanation and plea, Obi said he was shown a court judgment allegedly authorising the demolition, but it raised even more questions.
“You would not believe that the court judgment they claim was issued against an unknown person, and squatters,” he said. “I went further to ask about a demolition order or permit, and there was none.”
Obi questioned the legal process behind the judgment, asking, “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 said he waited from 10am to 2pm, hoping to speak with whoever authorised the demolition, but no one came forward. “The contractor even said he didn’t know who sent him,” he said.
“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.”
He connected the incident to broader governance issues, stressing that Nigeria’s worsening human rights record was already deterring investors.
“Any society where lawlessness overrides the rule of law is not destined to be a haven for investors,” Obi wrote.
“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.”
He said the experience was personal, but reflective of what many ordinary Nigerians face.
“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,” he stated. “So I imagine what small business owners, regular citizens, and vulnerable communities face every day.”
Obi concluded with a call for a return to governance guided by law, fairness, and respect for citizens’ rights.
“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,” he said.
