The judgment also held that the demolition of long-established communities without such protections violates the constitutional right to dignity guaranteed under Section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Residents of several waterfront communities in Lagos State have accused the state government of carrying out widespread demolitions and forced evictions despite existing court orders restraining such actions, as they seek judicial intervention to reverse the destruction of their homes and communities.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Coalition against Demolition, Forced Eviction, Landgrabbing and Displacement in Lagos State, which declared solidarity with affected waterfront residents who gathered at the Court of Appeal on Lagos Island.
The statement was signed by leaders of the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation, including Jude Ojo of Ilaje Otumara, Kunnu Paul of Otodo Gbame, Abigail Oladunjoye of PURA/Bar Beach and Imole Dezyno, alongside activist Hassan Taiwo Soweto of the #EndBadGovernance Movement and Megan Chapman, Co-Executive Director of Justice and Empowerment Initiatives (JEI).
According to the coalition, the affected communities are demanding the reversal of what they described as unconstitutional demolitions that have displaced tens of thousands of residents between 2023 and 2026.