LAGOS MUST DEVELOP MAKOKO FOR MASSES- FALANA
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HOTJIST NEWS
Femi Falana, the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has urged the Lagos state government to develop the Makoko waterfront settlements for the benefit of the local population.
Falana made the statement during a press conference held by the Coalition Against Demolitions, Forced Evictions, Land Grabbing and Displacements in Lagos.
In December 2025, the Lagos state government began the demolition of waterfront settlements in Makoko along the Third Mainland Bridge, which resulted in the displacement of many residents.
The affected communities protested against the demolition and submitted petitions to Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker of the Lagos assembly.
Recently, the Lagos assembly proposed that the state government should relocate the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Sogunro waterfront communities to Agbowa in Epe LGA.
Recently, the Lagos assembly suggested that the state government should move the people living in the Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Sogunro waterfront areas to Agbowa in Epe LGA.
They also started tearing down buildings in the Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara, and Baba-Ijora communities in Lagos.
He said the Lagos government is yet to comply with the court judgements, which were ruled in the favour of the demolished communities.
“No government has the power to render citizens homeless. If for any developmental purposes, the government decides to take over my property, alternatives must be provided or payment of compensation, that is fair and just,” Falana said.
“We are, therefore, demanding the compliance to the judgment of the Lagos court, federal high court, and ECOWAS court in Abuja, which have ruled in favour of the waterfront communities in Lagos.
“We are here to say enough is enough! We are not going to allow any demolition of settlements again either in Lagos or any other parts of the country.
“The Lagos government in partnership with UN agencies must start the development of water cities in the waterfront communities.
“Lagos has no court order to take people from Makoko to Agbowa. People affected must be carried along. The proposal was rejected by the waterfront communities and their allies across the country. Develop where we are. Our people want to live a life of dignity.”
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