A Lagos High Court has ordered the Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Hon. Sulaiman Bamidele Yusuf, to appear before it on June 30, 2025, to show cause why he should not be committed for contempt of court. This follows the local government’s unlawful demolition of the Deeper Life Bible Church located at 36 Aina Street, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos.
The church had been in possession of the property since 2007. However, in January 2024, the Surulere Local Government sent a notice of intention to remove the church from the land to construct a modern market. The church responded by challenging the local government’s action in court, seeking to assert its ownership rights and restrain the demolition.
“We will not be intimidated by the actions of the Surulere Local Government. We have a valid court order, and we expect it to be respected,” a church representative said.
Despite a court order restraining the local government from taking over the church’s land, the Surulere Local Government, led by its chairman, proceeded to demolish the church’s fence on May 27, 2024, and later demolished the entire church premises on May 26, 2025.
“This demolition is a clear case of executive lawlessness and disregard for the judiciary. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” the church’s counsel, Nojim Tairu, said.
Justice E. O. Ashade subsequently made an order restoring the church to its property pending the determination of the matter. The court also ordered the chairman, head of administration, legal officer, and other management staff of Surulere Local Government to appear in court to show cause why they should not be committed for contempt.
“We are confident that the court will uphold the rule of law and protect our rights as a church. We will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion,” a church spokesperson added.
A Pattern of Attacks
This demolition is not an isolated incident. There appears to be a systematic pattern of attacks against the Church via desecration and demolition of her places of worship by Lagos State Government agencies. The chronicle includes:
1. Yaba Church – demolished by LAMATA on June 5, 2021.
2. Olorunishola Church, Ayobo – demolished by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) on July 5, 2024.
3. Lawanson Church – demolished by Surulere LG
The cases highlight the ongoing struggles between government agencies and private property owners in Lagos, with concerns about the rule of law and property rights.
