A group, the Justice & Empowerment Initiative Nigeria (JEI), yesterday marched on the Lagos State House of Assembly protesting an alleged illegal eviction of residents of former School of Nursing building on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
A statement by the body’s coordinator, Mrs. Megan Chapman, said: “We were contacted by our sister organisation, the Centre for Defence of Human Rights and Democracy (CDHRDA), which was on the site documenting the eviction by the Lagos State task force.”
She alleged that force was used for the eviction and that there was disregard for residents’ material possessions.
Mrs. Chapman said the houses were broken into when residents were not at home, adding that their belongings were thrown out through the windows.
Her words: “This is callous and inhuman. The exercise was carried out despite a downpour.
“Our investigation and discussion showed that the eviction followed the execution of a 48-hour abatement of nuisance notice issued to them.”
She said the group had written to the Ministry of Justice, noting that the eviction was illegal and unlawful.
The displaced residents, who chanted solidarity songs, enjoined the House of Assembly to come to their aid.
The Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, said the House would look into the matter when it resumed.
