Property Rights Under Threat? Residents Cry Out to Lagos Judiciary Over Disputed Judgment Enforcement
Justice Alogba Urged to Probe Alleged Illegal Execution of Court Orders in Lagos Property Tussle
A group of aggrieved residents has formally petitioned the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, seeking an urgent review of what they describe as an "unlawful and high-handed" execution of a court judgment. The petitioners allege that the enforcement process, which resulted in the displacement of several families and the sealing of properties, bypassed critical statutory procedures and ignored pending legal applications.
The petition, which was reportedly submitted to the Office of the Chief Judge earlier this week, calls for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the court sheriffs and the parties who facilitated the execution.
Allegations of Procedural Breach
The core of the residents' grievance lies in the claim that the execution was carried out while an application for a stay of execution was still pending before a superior court. According to the petitioners, legal representatives had served the relevant parties with notices of appeal, which, under Nigerian judicial practice, typically necessitates a halt in enforcement until the higher court reaches a determination.
Furthermore, the residents allege that the execution was conducted "under the cover of darkness" and without the requisite presence of designated security agencies, leading to significant damage to personal property and physical harassment of occupants.
Seeking Judicial Redress
In their appeal to Justice Alogba, the residents are requesting:
A Stay of Further Actions: An immediate halt to any ongoing construction or demolition on the disputed site.
Judicial Inquiry: A formal probe into whether the sheriffs of the Lagos State High Court acted within the boundaries of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act.
Restoration of Possession: An order returning the residents to the status quo pending the final determination of the substantive appeal.
"The judiciary is the last hope of the common man, but that hope is extinguished when the machinery of justice is used as a tool for oppression," the petition reads. "We trust your Lordship will ensure that the sanctity of the court is not compromised by procedural lawlessness."
The Wider Context of Land Disputes in Lagos
This petition comes at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding land ownership and judgment enforcement in Lagos State. Legal experts note that while the judiciary has made significant strides in digitising court records and streamlining processes, "illegal executions" often involving land speculators and compromised enforcement officers remain a persistent challenge for the state's urban development.
The Lagos State Judiciary has recently emphasized its commitment to a "Smart Judiciary," with Justice Alogba championing reforms aimed at making the legal system more transparent and less prone to manual interference or corruption.
As of the time of reporting, the Office of the Chief Judge has not issued a formal response to the petition. However, the matter has been referred to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for an initial assessment. The outcome of this intervention will be viewed as a critical indicator of the judiciary's willingness to self-regulate and protect the rights of residents against predatory enforcement practices.
