Video: Peter Obi condemns demolition of brother’s property in Lagos

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed outrage over the demolition of his younger brother’s company property in Ikeja, Lagos, which he claimed was carried out without any valid court order or demolition permit.

Video link: https://x.com/DailyEconews/status/1937879987690057769?t=uzw1kdDiWe1c9b0PgwGP9w&s=19

The property, owned for over 15 years, was reportedly destroyed by unidentified individuals acting on a vague court judgment that did not mention his brother or authorise demolition.

Obi recounted receiving a frantic call from his youngest brother, who had just returned from Port Harcourt, informing him that security men denied him entry while the building was being pulled down. Obi rushed from Abuja to Lagos but was barred from accessing the site, with officials citing a court order addressed to “unknown persons” and “squatters,” not his brother or the company.

He lamented the incident as emblematic of Nigeria’s growing lawlessness and impunity, questioning how the country can attract foreign investment under such conditions.

Obi stated, “What kind of lawless country is this? If they treat local investors like this, how do they expect foreign investors to come?”

He added, “Any society where lawlessness overrides the rule of law is not destined to be a haven for investors”.

Obi further reflected on the broader implications for human rights and civil liberties in Nigeria, noting that even those with legitimate businesses and rights face such abuses.

“If this level of lawlessness can happen to someone with a registered company and legitimate means, what hope does the ordinary Nigerian have?” he asked.

The demolition has drawn condemnation from activists and political figures, with the former LP guber aspirant, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour calling it a “total shame” and a symptom of reckless disregard for due process by the ruling party.

Lawyer Deji Adeyanju questioned the politics behind demolishing the property without allowing the owner to remove belongings.