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The Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere has restrained further demolition, excavation and construction on a disputed property at 168 Broad Street, Lagos Island.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya issued the temporary order following an application by Dr Abimbola Adebowale, who alleged that part of the property had been demolished before Taiwo Yusuf allegedly took possession and began preparations for further development.
The dispute followed a 48-hour enforcement notice issued by the Lagos Island Local Government on August 6, 2026, directing occupants to vacate the property and remove containers and other structures described as illegal.
The notice, signed by A. O. Ojora on behalf of the council engineer, warned that failure to comply within 48 hours would result in enforcement action under relevant laws and regulations.
Adebowale alleged that the situation escalated after part of the property was demolished and Yusuf allegedly took possession following the local government’s intervention.
She further claimed that tenants were forcibly evicted without notice, while part of the structure was demolished at night and the premises barricaded with aluminium zinc to facilitate further demolition and construction.
In an affidavit filed in support of the application, Babatunde Bello, a staff member of United Capital Trustee Limited, said the company had managed the property since 2016 without disturbance until the alleged encroachment.
Bello stated that Adebowale appointed United Capital Trustee Limited as trustee of her properties through a Deed of Trust dated August 8, 2026.
He alleged that the defendants forcibly evicted tenants from the premises on August 19 without prior notice or Adebowale’s consent before partially demolishing the building.
According to the affidavit, the property was subsequently barricaded with aluminium zinc, allegedly in preparation for the complete demolition of the remaining structure and commencement of construction.
Adebowale, through her lawyer, Waheed Isiaka of KISAB Solicitors & Attorneys, asked the court to preserve the property pending completion of the pre-action protocol.
Ruling on the application, Justice Adesanya held that the applicant had satisfied the conditions required for the grant of the temporary protective order.
The judge said an applicant seeking such relief must demonstrate that failure to grant the order could result in irreparable damage or serious mischief, among other requirements.
Justice Adesanya subsequently restrained Yusuf, the unidentified defendants, their privies, agents and proxies from completely demolishing, dissipating, excavating or carrying out construction work on the disputed property.
The order will remain in place pending full compliance with the pre-action protocol.
However, the judge stressed that the order was temporary and conditional, directing the applicant to comply fully with the relevant requirements within the timelines prescribed by the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and Practice Direction No. 2 of 2019.
Justice Adesanya warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would cause the protective order to lapse.
