Akeem Nafiu 
Justice Ayokunle Faji of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday heard that the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has sold and demolished the former Lagos residences of British Governor-Generals in Nigeria, John Macpherson and Arthur Richards
Sir Richards was a British colonial administrator, who served as the Governor-General from 1943 to 1948, while Sir Macpherson succeeded him from 1948 to 1955.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Babajide Koku, told the judge that the building located at 27, Femi Okunnu Road (Old Cooper Road) Ikoyi, a national historical monument, was pulled down by an AMCON assignee despite pending litigation over its ownership.
Koku, representing the applicant, Ehimome Properties Ltd, prayed for an order setting aside the “purported sale” of the property located at 27, Femi Okunnu Road, Lagos State by AMCON.
He also sought an order appointing the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar as the property’s receiver/manager pending the determination of a motion seeking to set aside a September 4, 2019 interim order of possession Justice Nicholas Oweibo made in AMCON’s favour with respect to the property and others at home and abroad.
The applicant made his application in a suit marked, FHC/L/CS/1129/2019, between AMCON (Receiver/Manager ROCKSON Engineering Company Ltd), Johnson Akinola Arumemi-Ikhide and Rockson International Group Ltd.
Koku, who appeared conditionally for the defendants, also informed the court that despite the matter pending in court, AMCON went ahead to assign the property to “Otunba Yemi Saheed Lawal and/or Seagle Property Development Ltd.”
He said the assignees “and/or persons unknown have demolished the property,” and were taking steps to erect a new building on the property, which had historical images that had been reserved as part of Nigeria’s historical heritage.
He attached photos of the demolition to the application.
“My lord, the people that bought this property have pulled it down and they are erecting a new building on it as we speak.
“On June 12, a bulldozer was mobilised to the site, No 27, Femi Okunnu Street, Ikoyi, Lagos and it cleared everything there, now they are laying the foundation for another building.
“What impunity can be more than this? Despite that we are before my Lord and instead of everyone to wait for the outcome of this case, AMCON resorted to self-help.
“The last time something like this happened was during military era in Odumegwu Ojukwu vs Lagos State,” Koku said.
