Court order constricts Ikoyi housing stock as FG takes possession

A court judgment delivered in Lagos three years ago in favour of the federal government has narrowed the number of residential housing units in Ikoyi, as the government has taken possession of the units under contention.

Some residents of these properties were seen scampering from place to place, making frantic phone calls, while others remained calm, believing that “there must be a solution to the problem since government is about people and people are the government.”

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A few of the possessed properties are located on George Street, off Mobolaji Johnson Avenue, while others are on Second Avenue and other streets within that axis.

The properties affected on George Street are those on Nos 1, 2 and 5. The old structure on No 1 which is next to ECOWAS office, has been demolished and a massive construction is going on there to build a high-rise residential property.

The property on No 2 is an old one-storey building that has all the trappings of colonial residences, with the gate bearing “Keep Off, Military Zone” warning. Property No 5 is also an old building with multi-family units standing on two floors.

When BusinessDay visited the street to witness the possession, it was observed that each of these properties had a banner pasted on its gate, citing the court judgment that prompted their possession.

The banners read: “ID/2643LMW/2020; Federal Government of Nigeria Vs The Unknown Occupier(s). Pursuant to the judgment delivered by the Hon Justice A.M. Lawal of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division, on the 15th Day of July, 2022, in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, possession of this property is hereby taken today, 28/01/2026, by the court order. For enquiries, contact Asset Recovery and Management Unit, Federal Ministry of Justice, FCT, Abuja.”

One of the government officials, who came to effect the possession, told BusinessDay that the action became necessary because owners or occupiers of the properties have chosen to remain adamant “even when we can see reconstruction work going on as in the case of house No 1.”

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The official, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that they would go as far as Bank Road and also towards the Old Federal Secretary Complex near Obalende.

Shortly after the officials who came with a bus-load of Mobile Policemen left, some residents of Property No 5 came out and removed the banner on their gate, telling this reporter that the marking on the wall was enough to show the property has been possessed. The marking on the wall, which BusinessDay sighted, reads: ‘ID/2643LMW/2020: Possession Taken today, 28/01/2026 By Court Order.’