The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe, has ordered an investigation into the demolition of Ijora-Badia, a slum settlement in Lagos State, which has rendered 10,000 people homeless. The NHRC boss who fielded questions from journalists after a visit to the demolition site said the investigation became necessary to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the exercise, and to take stock of the affected property.
Angwe said, we received complaints and petition from the Social and Economic Right Action Center (SERAC) and we decided that we must come over to have an on-the -spot assessment. We have seen the act of demolition here. We have listened to the people who claimed they have been living here for a very long period of time with the right land title.
“We have listened to their side we are going to listen to the government’s side. But we must say if what they said about the destruction of their properties and being rendered homeless is true, it would be a serious violation of their human right, which is against the principles of the rule of law.
“We are not out here to say the government in carrying out its duties in line with the procedure set out by the law cannot take possession of a particular portion of land, but it must be done in accordance with the provision of the law, which provides for adequate compensation.
“They should not only be compensated accordingly, they should also be notified and allowed to move to another place of residence provided by the government. We cannot ascertain what has happened until we carry out our investigation and meet with the relevant stakeholders. That is the standard.
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