HURIWA Demands Probe Into $250m Lagos Estate Demolition

HURIWA demands probe into $250m Lagos estate demolition, alleges injustice as FG insists due process was followed

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for an independent investigation into the demolition of a $250 million estate along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road corridor, alleging violations of due process and injustice against investors, while the Federal Government maintains that the action followed lawful procedures. The controversy has reignited debate over large-scale infrastructure development and property rights amid Nigeria’s ongoing coastal highway project. HURIWA urged authorities to set up a transparent investigation into the demolition of the estate reportedly developed by WINHOMES Global Services Limited and largely funded by diaspora investors. The rights group argued that the demolition raises serious concerns about rule of law, investor protection, and government accountability, particularly given the scale of financial losses involved. It further claimed that affected investors were not adequately compensated despite prolonged engagements with relevant authorities. HURIWA warned that incidents of this nature could discourage both local and foreign investment if not properly addressed, stressing that confidence in government-backed infrastructure projects depends on respect for legal and administrative processes. In response, the Federal Government defended the demolition, insisting that it was carried out in line with established legal and technical procedures linked to the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. Authorities maintained that the project remains a nationally strategic infrastructure initiative and that decisions affecting structures within its right-of-way are guided by engineering requirements and statutory provisions. The government also rejected claims of arbitrariness, stating that all actions taken were consistent with planning approvals and project implementation frameworks.

The demolition is linked to the broader Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700-kilometre infrastructure project designed to connect Nigeria’s western and southeastern regions, passing through multiple coastal states. The project, one of the country’s most ambitious road developments, has faced public debate over cost, compensation issues, environmental concerns, and displacement of structures along its corridor. HURIWA said the prolonged dispute surrounding the estate reflects deeper concerns about bureaucratic delays and unresolved compensation issues affecting private developments impacted by federal infrastructure projects.

The group also referenced public statements attributed to officials suggesting that demolition decisions were made at ministerial level, raising questions about authorization and compliance with constitutional procedures.