Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate, has raised alarm over what he describes as a blatant abuse of human rights after his younger brother’s company property in Ikeja, Lagos, was forcefully demolished without prior notice, court order, or legal authorization.
In a detailed statement on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, Obi revealed that he received a frantic call from his brother earlier in the day, informing him that unknown agents had invaded and started demolishing the commercial property. According to Obi, the demolition began over the weekend, but his brother, who had just returned from Port Harcourt, was denied entry by unidentified security operatives stationed at the site.
Rushing to Lagos from Abuja, Obi arrived at the scene only to meet heavily armed men barring his entry. When he demanded to see the court judgment authorizing the demolition, he was shown a vague legal document reportedly issued against “unknown persons” and “squatters,” with no mention of the registered owners or the corporate entity that had held legal title to the property for over 15 years.
Questioning the absence of a formal demolition permit, Obi said he stood at the property site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., demanding to speak with whoever authorized the action. None of the contractors or on-site personnel could produce a name or contact person. Even the excavator operators claimed ignorance, stating they were only called for the demolition job.
Obi described the ordeal as a symptom of Nigeria’s worsening state of lawlessness, lamenting how property rights and due process are increasingly disregarded. He said the demolition reinforced the growing fear among investors, both local and foreign, about Nigeria’s unpredictable business climate. “If this can happen to a registered company with legitimate ownership, what hope do ordinary Nigerians have?” he questioned.
Reflecting on a recent conversation with a businessman who invests heavily in Ghana, Senegal, and Benin Republic but avoids Nigeria, Obi said the answer was clear: “Nigeria is lawless.” He stressed that until rule of law is restored, both investors and citizens will continue to lose confidence in the system.
Vowing to remain steadfast in the fight for a better Nigeria, Obi called for immediate reforms to strengthen property rights, uphold the rule of law, and protect ordinary citizens from arbitrary state or private power abuses.
