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Displaced Badagry residents seek intervention of Amnesty International

By Godwin Dunia
06 September 2016   |   2:32 am
Displaced residents of Atinporome, Araromi Ale Extention and Mowo Phase 2 communities, in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State have called on the Amnesty International (AI), to prevail on Lagos state government...
Amnesty International

Amnesty International

Displaced residents of Atinporome, Araromi Ale Extention and Mowo Phase 2 communities, in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State have called on the Amnesty International (AI), to prevail on Lagos state government and the Nigeria Police to respect and obey court orders.

The residents said Lagos state government and the Police wrongfully demolished their over 1,500 buildings in 2013.

Speaking when AI delegate visited the site of the demolition, the chairman of the group, Chief Charles Adu, said they had passed through pains since 2013 when their buildings were allegedly destroyed and urged AI to partner them in their effort to remedy the loss.

The affected persons also want the international agency to come and watch proceedings in court when the matter is slated for hearing.

Adu lamented a situation where the people who are expected to enforce laws are the ones flouting them. “Constitutionally, the police are created as an arm of government to maintain law and order and at the same time enforce compliance of court orders and not to be the one to violate a valid and subsisting order of court.

“What legacy are the Lagos State government and the Police force leaving for posterity and Nigerian children yet unborn, by disobeying an order of the court?”, he querried.

He also stated that the land allotted to the Police force is at Agemowo and Agelado, which are quite distinct and does not share same boundary with their communities – Apotiremeh, Araromi Ale and Mowo phase 2 and wondered why the Police had interest in their land.

“As we speak, our people are going through various degree of hardship as a result of the callous, oppressive and wickedness visited on us through the wrongful demolition of our houses and properties”, Adu said.

The Chairman also said in spite of the callousness against them, the residents have continued to remain law abiding. He said: “We have already filed a contempt proceeding against the commissioner of Police, Lagos State at the Badagry High Court and a bench warrant has been issued summoning him to appear before Justice A. Dada and he has refused.

Meanwhile, the visiting representatives of AI, led by one, Morayo Adebayo, who refused to talk to Journalists on the issue, but acknowledged the request of the residents and promised to get back.

She also held private meetings with the displaced residents at random, saying they had come “to express AI’s solidarity with the displaced residents.”
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