A Nigerian High court on Wednesday ruled against a government-ordered mass eviction practice which has left over 30,000 Nigerians homeless in Lagos.

Deeming the practice unconstitutional, the judge of the High Court, Adeniyi Onigbanjo, ordered the state government to halt further evictions to prevent an estimated 270,000 other residents in the state from losing their homes to development.

According to Onigbanjo, the decision violates the rights of the residents. He then said the government should stop eviction to discuss resettlement terms.

The court case which was filed by Lagos-based human rights organization, Justice and Empowerment Initiative (JEI), was done on behalf of dozens of communities leaving next to the water across Lagos.

“It is a great victory. It issues an injunction against the government carrying out any further evictions. They must also consult and arrange for re-settlement if they are to continue with any further eviction,” Megan Chapman, JEI co-executive director said.

Let’s recall that in April, a man was shot dead and another wounded at the Otodo Gbame waterfront community in Lagos, during another attack by the police.

Anita Fatunji