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Nigerians in anguish over building demolition in cities
Till date, Bernard Nzerem, an engineer, is still in shock over the demolition of his over N2.2billion property at Naze, Imo State.
The property, comprising a two-storey building plaza, housing a church auditorium, another two-storey plaza, about 70 percent completed and multiple shops, was marked on June 28, 2025, and demolished on July 5, 2025, within a week notice, despite the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy and a Power of Attorney to the government agencies.
“This was not just a building. It was my entire life’s sweat,” Nzerem, an elder statesman, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ruling party and an indigene of Naze, cried out.
Nzerem is not facing the trauma alone, as many shop owners and businesses within the property complex have either packed up or are still struggling to raise money to pay for new shops elsewhere.
So also are owners of the 15 buildings around the Federal Polytechnic Nekede area in Owerri, demolished in July, crying over their huge losses, especially shelter. The same scenario is playing out across the country.
For instance, house demolition is not new in Lagos State, which perhaps, accounts for the highest number of house demolitions in Nigeria, followed by Abuja.
In 2023, a five-storey building at 7 Breadfruit Street, Lagos Island, was demolished, among many over the years.
The state also marked 39 buildings for demolition, amid issuance of quit notices to owners and tenants at Oral Extension Estate, Westend and Mega Mond Estate in Eti-Osa, LGA.
The above-mentioned are few of the many property demolitions in the state over the years.
However, the brazen way a community was demolished in the Oworonshoki area of the state, this September, raised alarm over the exercise, which was intended for the residents’ good.
According to Balogun Jamiu, chairman of a Community Development Association in Oworonshoki, the residents, who are now homeless, were left in shock when bulldozers moved in at night, despite efforts at meeting the requirements of the government.
“The demolition came to us as a surprise,” he said, decrying why such an exercise was carried out at night when residents were home, sleeping and vulnerable.
Afeez Ayeni, a displaced resident, lamented that the government betrayed them as there was a gentleman agreement, which the residents were complying with.
“When the government people came from Alausa, they asked us to restructure our houses and make them stronger because the Oworonshoki area is swampy, with the closeby lagoon. We have done that and we have proof.
So, why come from behind to demolish our houses, especially now that our government does not build for the poor,” Ayeni lamented.
Following the demolition, Ayeni noted that house rent, which was already high due to the area’s proximity to the island, has more than doubled.
“Landlords are now saying that their houses are government approved and using it to increase rent in Oworo. We are now ex-landlords, and cannot even pay for a room again,” he decried.
Esther Morakinyo Fabiyi, a senior nurse at a government hospital, noted that the government keeps overlooking houses under high tension, waterways and buffer zones, which are more dangerous and rather demolishing the ones that the owners are making efforts to enhance in this hard time.
“I saw fellow mothers, who were displaced, crying.
“The government is no longer building cheap houses as Jakande did and yet it is demolishing the ones the owners have invested heavily to meet their high requirements,” she said.
Also, residents of Rimin Zakara village in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, particularly, landlords, were traumatised over the demolition of over 40 houses during a recent operation by the state agencies, where no fewer than four casualties were recorded.
In defence of the demolition operation, a source at the state Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning said that the land in dispute belongs to the Bayero University Kano (BUK).
But many argued that the explanation is not enough reason for the demolition of the houses belonging to the poor.
Also, while it is about two years since the demolition of a set of buildings belonging to the Bayelsa State Government on Akassa Street, Old GRA axis of Port Harcourt, by the River State government, the evictees still recall their ordeals, amid pain.
Then, many described the demolition exercise as uncalled for, but while the two governments fought, the staff members of the Bayelsa State Liaison office in Port Harcourt, felt the impact of the eviction.
Isaac Board, a staff and evictee, recalled hurriedly packing out of the building and had no place to stay for some time.
“My family slept in the corridor of a friend’s place last night,” he lamented then.
Not only him, Woseebimu Frank-Oputu, an administrator officer at the liaison office then, sought refuge for his family at a church.
“It was my pastor that came with a truck to carry my property. My family and I are putting up in the church,” he stated then.
Though the staff members have been sorted out long ago, the worry for many is why government property and staff members were treated in such a way and that also points to why most governments don’t treat citizens with human face.
But in Abuja, many houses went down when Nasir El-Rufai was the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
That wave of house demolition has resurfaced since Nyesom Wike became the FCT Abuja minister, with the Federal Housing Authority and the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), leading the onslaught.
Speaking on the issue, Andrew Osarhieme, a property expert, noted that while house owners share the blame for the demolition of their properties, the government and its multiple agencies share more of the blame for not putting the right measures in place and also being selective in the enforcement of building laws and demolition exercises.
“I live in Lagos and I have seen many houses built under high tension and the owners have been there for decades,” he said.
“Where is the government when the foundation was being laid and their agents who report fresh foundations to them for sealing off the premises if the owners have no approvals?
“The government is being more reactive than proactive in the enforcement of building laws, especially in Lagos and Abuja,” he said.
He insisted that if the government clearly marks areas and their purposes, fight enthronement, provide roads long before people start building, and deal with the omo-onile issue, there would be less properties to demolish across the country.
Mathias Egem, an Owerri-based property lawyer, also thinks that the government is reactive in the enforcement of building laws, while some demolitions are just for land grabbing.
Citing an instance with the demolition of a building allegedly used as a criminal hideout within the Ama Hausa axis in Owerri, the lawyer decried that instead of flushing the criminals out or turn the property to school or hospital, the government demolished it and probably, with an intent of taking over the land and reselling to individuals.
Countering the above, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) noted that its demolitions, which come after several notices, are aimed at safeguarding lives and property.
Last year, the Lagos State Government, through LASBCA, directed the removal of all illegal structures erected under high-tension and power lines, giving property owners until January 31, 2025, to comply, after which enforcement actions will commence.
For Gbolahan Oki, general manager, LASBCA, the directive aligned with the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, which prohibits construction within restricted zones such as power line corridors.
Those who are crying foul today, according to the LASBCA boss, are owners who failed to adhere to the directive.
“Removing illegal structures is a crucial step in preventing tragedies caused by electrical hazards,” Oki stated.
“High-tension power lines transmit electricity at extremely high voltages, and any structure within their clearance zone poses serious risks, including electrocution, power surges, fires, and infrastructural damage due to safety violations,” he added.
Also, to ensure safety of lives and property across the state, in 2024, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, granted amnesty to property owners to regularize their documents, which was extended to December 31, 2024, after which the LASBCA commenced enforcement, starting with Ogudu GRA.
Reviewing the exercise, LASBCA has noted that the enforcement drive is restoring order to Lagos physical planning, amid preventing structural hazards, such as recurring building collapse.
The Lagos State government has also taken safety further and started demolishing unapproved buildings following the expiration of the amnesty period granted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
For the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), there is nothing wrong with demolishing buildings, especially when there is a need such as structural failure, which then requires controlled demolition.
Based on the above and for the safety of the residents, the FHA has carried many controlled house demolitions, especially in Abuja.
The most recent, according to the housing authority, was on March 24, 2025, when it demolished one of the authority’s buildings in Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja; a block consisting of six 3-bedroom flats.
Ojo, managing director and chief executive of FHA, explained that the authority considered the safety of human lives over any other thing in the demolition of the block due to structural defects.
For those accusing the government of being reactive, the FHA boss insisted that his management cannot wait until there is a disaster before acting, hence, proactive steps have been taken to salvage the situation.
The FHA also cleared the air on fear of forfeiture of properties when demolished, citing the demolition of one the 24 two-storey buildings illegally constructed on a waterway in Guzape District, Abuja.
The FHA boss owned up that the dilapidated buildings were FHA’s, but assured that the authority would complete the new building in one year and all the allottees would get back their houses at no cost.
While the above sounds interesting, considering the many cases where house owners and allottees often lose after demolition, the court is also offering respect to some owners who still have faith in the legal system and have taken legal actions against the government.
In July, an Abuja High Court declared recent demolitions of homes across the FCT illegal.
It also ordered the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), responsible for the demolition, to pay N200?million to people whose homes were wrongly destroyed.
Though the case dated back to 2023 when the FCDA was demolishing buildings alleged to be on government land, it is justice at last for home owners, who despite having valid title documents or were in the process of securing them, lost their houses to the demolition exercise.
The ruling, according to Egem, will curb the excesses of government agencies, which often enforce laws without human face.
The property lawyer decried that most of the demolitions in the country violate homeowners’ rights to fair notice and a hearing.
“As Nigerians, part of our fundamental rights is the right to property. But our governments often act as if the citizens should not own property.
“What they should do is to harmonise property laws and give them a human face because many pour their life savings into their buildings and also depend on them for earnings, especially at old age,” he said.
He urged for a win-win bargain, as most owners of demolished buildings do not live long after their properties are gone and land grabbing is on the rise due to many demolition exercises in the country.
Osarhieme called for harmonising of building laws, easy facilitation of necessary documents and approvals and reducing of the too many agencies In building regulations in the country, especially Lagos State.
Egem urged for stiffer laws against land grabbing and use of demolition as political weapons by government officials.
Harry Emetuma, a senior banker and house owner, urged would-be landlords to start with documentation and authorisation to avoid unnecessary harassment from the many and yet to establish government building regulatory agencies. (BusinessDay)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified part of the the election guidelines put in place by the commission for the conduct of the 2027 general election.
Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had last week nullified guidelines issued by the INEC directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, as a condition for participation in the 2027 general election.
A political party, the Youth Party, had filed a suit challenging the legality of the electoral body’s directive or guidelines.
The court said in its judgement that INEC could not lawfully shorten the timeline already provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
But, in the appeal notice dated May 25, 2026, filed by INEC, through its Counsel, Chief Alex Izinyon, SAN, the electoral umpire prayed the court to set aside the judgement of the lower court.
Businessman Chief Lucky Adimike, also referred to as Lucky Godwin Adimike, was allegedly stabbed to death by his 19-year-old son in Abuja.
The incident is said to have happened after an argument at their home in Guzape.
A report says the son, who was reportedly keeping late nights and returning from a night club allegedly stabbed him multiple times and is currently in police custody while investigations continue.
The police reportedly confirmed that a homicide investigation is ongoing.
The incident allegedly happened at his residence in Guzape, Abuja.
He was described as a businessman and electrical dealer.
Sources claimed there was an argument between him and his son, reportedly a nightcrawler, in which he scolded him to be more serious with his studies and life instead of roaming aimlessly, spending lavishly and getting into substance abuse.
The disagreement allegedly also involved money, lifestyle expectations, and accusations about business funds.
Police reportedly found him injured after a distress call and later confirmed him dead at the hospital.
The Nigeria Police Force reportedly said several people, including a relative, were taken into custody while investigations continue.
Why youth corps member stabbed billionaire father dead -Associate
Friday, May 15, 2026, will linger in the memories of family members of the late multi-billionaire business tycoon, Chief Godwin Adimike, as the day he was allegedly killed by his 21 -year-old son.
Chief Adimike, popularly known as Egonaejeije Na Awka-Etiti, was killed in the early hours of that fateful day at his Number 3, Hassan Adamu Street, Guzape home in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Findings revealed that Adimike, a native of Awka Etiti in Anambra State, a major figure in Nigeria’s electronics and import business, was renowned for his strong presence and influence at the Alaba International Market in Lagos.
Having built a vast business empire over the decades, he was widely respected as one of the leading merchants in the popular market.
Findings revealed that Adimike was killed by his son, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on that night following a heated argument at their Guzape home.
When our correspondent visited the Guzape home of the deceased on Friday, the premises were cordoned-off with security operatives still carrying out forensic analysis in his apartment.
One of his close friends resident in Abuja and pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that Adimike owned houses in Lekki, Lagos and in Guzape and Maitama, Abuja, frequently shuttling between the two cities for his business interests.
He explained that the news of the incident reached the union after reports emerged that the businessman was allegedly stabbed three times by his son, who had returned from a club before the confrontation.
He said: “We received news that one of our members, one of the big boys in the market, was involved in a tragic incident. He is an importer, a major dealer, and also involved in real estate.
“He travelled to Abuja to see his first son who is working there as a youth corps member and also manages some of his father’s real estate business.
“Godwin shuttles between Abuja and Lagos because of his business.
“We were told that his son went to a club and later returned to his Guzape home, one of the estates he manages for his father.
“Apparently, a heated argument ensued after the son confronted his father about being unfair with money, citing how some of his friends’ fathers, who are not as wealthy, buy cars for their children.
“Following the confrontation and an argument over mismanagement of business funds, the son allegedly stabbed his father three times in different parts of the body as seen in the body of the deceased.
“The boy is currently in police custody in Abuja, and the wife of the deceased has also been invited for questioning”.
Adimike belongs to the Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN).
A neighbour, who also pleaded anonymity, said: “It was my husband that his son called at about 1am that day that he should come and see his father on the floor.
“When my husband got to their apartment, because we have six flats here, our own is the first while Adimike’s own is the second. My husband got there and saw Adimike on the floor, and he was the one that called the police. The son did not call the police.
“That day, the son was with two ladies and another of his friends.”
Another neighbour described the incident as unfortunate, saying: “That night to the following morning, there is a dog in the neighborhood that barks whenever there is a stranger.
“But that day, the dog did not bark, and this tells a lot about the situation.
“My prayers are that the police should do their investigation and come out with results. This is not funny.”
Details of the incident remain sketchy as investigations are ongoing. The motive behind the incident is yet to be established by the police.
The death of Adimike has left many people in deep shock and mourning. A man widely known for his generosity, kindness and support for the less privileged, whose name echoed across Awka-Etiti and beyond because of his philanthropic lifestyle.
Another close friend said: “What an abomination and painful tragedy. A man known for helping widows, supporting the church, empowering people and touching lives positively did not deserve such an ending.
“This heartbreaking incident is a reminder that anger, lack of self-control and family conflicts can destroy lives within seconds.
“It is also a painful lesson that wealth, fame, and influence cannot replace peace at home.
“The entire Awka-Etiti community, friends, business associates and loved ones are mourning the fall of a great iroko tree.”
Many people who knew him described him as a humble and cheerful giver whose doors were always open to the needy.
During the COVID-19 period, he reportedly distributed food items and cash worth millions to members of his community in Awka-Etiti, showing his heart for humanity and the welfare of others.
It will be recalled that the FCT Police Command on Tuesday issued a statement confirming the incident and the arrest made.
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ade, said the police had commenced investigation into the death of Adimike, whose body was discovered following a distress call from concerned persons.
Reacting to the incident, Adeh said the police responded to the report and discovered the victim lying injured in a pool of blood at his residence.
Adeh said he was immediately rushed to Karu General Hospital where doctors on duty confirmed him dead.
“Following the incident, the police swung into action and arrested five suspects, including a relative of the deceased, as part of ongoing investigations.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, ordered a discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The Command urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing any useful information that could assist the investigation,” Adeh said.
As of Friday, Adeh told our correspondent that investigation was still ongoing. “I would not want to disclose any information now till we conclude our investigation. This is a very serious case,” he said.
While all of these are unfolding, the family members issued a statement over the circumstances surrounding his death, frowning at growing speculations and unverified claims over the tragedy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Adimike Family, a copy of which was obtained by THE NATION, the family cautioned the public against what it described as misinformation, speculation and false narratives circulating across social media and some news platforms regarding the gruesome killing of the businessman.
The family said many of the claims being circulated about the circumstances surrounding Adimike’s death were speculative, misleading and unsupported by facts emerging from the ongoing police investigation.
“The Adimike Family of Awka Etiti, Anambra State, wishes to strongly caution the public against the growing wave of misinformation, speculation and false narratives being circulated across social media and certain news platforms regarding the tragic circumstances surrounding his death,” the statement said.
The family stressed that contrary to widespread reports, no official determination had been made regarding the identity of the perpetrator or the brains behind the killing.
“As of this moment, no official determination has been made regarding the identity of the perpetrator(s), and the family considers it irresponsible and deeply hurtful for individuals and platforms to spread unverified allegations and assign blame without evidence,” the statement added.
The family further appealed to members of the public and media organisations to avoid sensational reporting and allow law enforcement authorities to conclude investigations professionally.
“The family respectfully appeals to the public and media organisations to refrain from sensationalism, allow the police to conclude their investigations professionally, and keep the family in prayers during this difficult period,” it stated.
News of Adimike’s death had sparked widespread reactions after reports emerged alleging that the prominent businessman and philanthropist was killed inside his Abuja residence following a domestic altercation.
However, the family’s statement appears to push back against what it described as premature conclusions while police investigations continue.
Our correspondent also saw a viral audio sound of the deceased’s wife crying and saying in Igbo language that she is being accused of killing her husband.
…Says he’s neither Enugu State Chairman, nor represents NDC
The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) and entire leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been drawn to the nefarious activities of a certain John Paul Anih who is purporting to be the Enugu State Chairman of NDC, there by impersonating the authentic and legally recognised Enugu State Chairman, in the person of Engr. Ibuchukwu Obeta.
Apart from impersonating our state Chairman, the said Mr. John Paul Anih, we learnt also conducted a kangaroo state Congress where he allegedly installed himself as state chairman. He has also approached a court in Enugu, seeking to compel NDC to recognise him as our state Chairman for Enugu State.
Mr. John Paul Anih did not stop at that. While his case is yet to be heard, he went ahead to forge and reproduce copies of the NDC Expression of Interest Forms which he sold to unsuspecting prospects.
The NDC hereby warns unsuspecting members of the public that Mr. John Paul Anih does not represent the NDC in any category whatsoever, and whoever transacts any business with him on behalf of the NDC does so at his/her own risk.
Earlier today, we learnt that John Paul Anih has also seized the opportunity of the ongoing screening of aspirants by the party and set up what he called an aspirant screening Committee for Enugu State, which he is using to further defraud and extort some gullible politicians.
For the avoidance of doubt, the National leadership of the NDC has set up screening committees to screen aspirants for the state houses of assembly across the 36 states of the Federation. The three-man team for Enugu State comprises the following:
Hon. Sylvester O. Nwankwo – Chairman
Barr. Ifeanyi Emmanuel Agbom- Secretary
Ngene Helen Funmilola – Member
Any other person outside of the above mentioned, purporting to be a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly aspirants screening Committee is a fraud and should be treated as such.
We reiterate that John Paul Anih is a fraud, does not represent the NDC, and is not by any stretch of the imagination, the Enugu State Chairman of NDC.
Signed:
Osa Director Esq.
National Publicity Secretary,
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
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