Makoko inclusion key to Lagos water city project – Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to include residents of Makoko and other affected waterfront communities in the proposed Water City Project, instead of relocating them outside their ancestral settlements.

Falana, in a letter dated April 13, 2026, made available to Saturday PUNCH addressed to the governor, said he was acting on behalf of residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Sogunro waterfront communities, who have faced repeated demolitions and displacement.

“We are Solicitors to the Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro waterfront communities on whose behalf we write this letter,” he stated.

The senior advocate noted that previous court judgments had declared forced evictions in the communities illegal and unconstitutional, stressing that any further action must comply with the law and protect residents’ rights.

He recalled that on June 22, 2017, the Lagos High Court ruled against the government over evictions that rendered over 30,000 residents homeless.

He added that the presiding judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo (retd.), awarded damages and ordered a halt to further evictions.

“On June 22, 2017, the Lagos High Court declared illegal and unconstitutional the series of government-ordered evictions that left more than 30,000 Nigerians homeless.

The judge further ordered a stop to future evictions… and directed the authorities to discuss re-settlement plans with the affected communities,” the letter read.

Falana also cited another judgment delivered on August 25, 2025, by Justice F.N. Ogazi of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which restrained the Lagos State Government, its agencies, and the Nigeria Police Force from carrying out further demolitions.

Despite these rulings, Falana alleged that the state government carried out demolitions in December 2025 and January 2026, displacing thousands of residents.

“The judicial order was granted to protect the settlements, citing the ‘continuous threat and fear of imminent demolition’ faced by residents.

“Notwithstanding the aforesaid judgments… the Lagos State Government engaged in the December 2025/January 2026 demolitions… and thereby displaced thousands of the residents,” he said.

The brutal demolition led to the needless death of 12 persons, including a 70-year-old widow… and two babies,” he wrote.

Following the incident, Falana said the Lagos State House of Assembly conducted an inquiry after receiving a petition

At the end of the inquiry, the House of Assembly confirmed that the demolition exercise had led to the destruction of thousands of homes and the displacement of many residents,” he said.

He noted that the Assembly recommended relocation of residents to Agbowa in Epe Local Government Area but argued that such a move contradicted the government’s urban development plan.

“No doubt the Executive Council has not accepted the recommendation as it is not in consonance with the planned Makoko Waterfront Regeneration Project,” Falana stated.

He explained that the Water City Project is designed as “an inclusive, sustainable, and economically viable model that redefines how African cities can thrive with water, not against it.”

Falana further disclosed that the project was backed by international partners, including the United Nations Development Programme, UN-Habitat, and United Nations Capital Development Fund.

He added that the Lagos State Government was expected to contribute $2m, while the United Nations might provide up to $8m for the project.

“In view of the foregoing, we have the instructions of our clients to request that the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro be included in the planned Makoko Water City Project instead of relocating them to Agbowa,” he said.

Falana stressed that relocating residents away from their traditional waterfront settlements would undermine the government’s stated goal of promoting community-centred development.

He urged the state government to adopt an inclusive approach that aligned with court rulings and global best practices.

“While awaiting the reply of the Lagos State Government to the humble request of our clients, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem and professional regards,” the letter concluded.