In the heart of Yaba, Lagos, a legal battle is unfolding that could set a precedent for the protection of religious institutions from arbitrary actions by local authorities. The Deeper Life Bible Church, is fighting to reclaim a piece of land at no 36 Aina St, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos State, it claims was unlawfully demolished on May 27 by the Lagos State Building Control Agency.
It will be recalled that Surulere Local Council reportedly began laying foundations for shops on the site immediately after the demolition. This prompted condemnation from church officials, who described the action as unjust and disruptive to their congregation, now left without a place of worship.
Speaking to journalists after a crucial hearing at the Lagos High Court, Sabo on Thursday, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Taiwo Kupolati lead counsel to the church, expressed frustration over what he described as the local council’s “complete breakdown” of peaceful negotiation efforts.
“We were invited today for the hearing of the suit concerning the demolition of our church property in Surulere,” Kupolati said. “Recall that during the last adjournment, the council had sent a letter offering a ₦10 million full and final compensation—not just for the demolition, but for the entire land.”
But the Church, through its legal team, rejected the offer, deeming it not only unreasonable but dismissive of the value of both the land and the structure erected on it. In a counter-response, the Church had proposed a joint valuation exercise by experts from both parties to assess the actual cost of the land and reconstruction, or alternatively, to be given a replacement plot within the same locality.
No response ever came.
“That silence told us everything we needed to know,” Kupolati told the press. “Today, we informed the Court that the peace process had completely broken down.”
He noted that instead of engaging in dialogue, the local government returned to court with a formal defence and an application for an extension of time—signaling their readiness to contest the case rather than settle.
Rather than resist the delay, the Church’s legal team chose not to oppose the extension. “We want to move quickly to trial,” Kupolati said. “To reclaim our land and seek adequate compensation for the illegal demolition.”
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In a significant development, the Justice granted all prayers brought by the Church’s legal team. These include a restraining order barring the local council from carrying out any form of development on the disputed land, as well as an order compelling the police—specifically the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2—to ensure security for Deeper Life Bible Church members as they continue to worship or carry out any legitimate activity on the site.
Kupolati emphasized that the court’s ruling was clear: “From now on, the local government is restrained from accessing the land or interfering with the Church’s operations on it.”
He further stated that the Court reaffirmed its fundamental role—to protect lives and property—and warned the local government not to disregard its authority.
A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing legal battle over the land as counsel representing the 3rd, 4th, and 5th defendants alleged that the land was not properly acquired by the church.
During court proceedings, the lead counsel, Mr. Samuel Honbu, argued that the land in question, which has been occupied by the church for over 17 years, belongs to the Alagbasa family. He claimed that the church did not purchase the land from the rightful owner—one of Alagbasa’s sons, Ajorin Abayomi under whose portion the church reportedly falls.
Honbu, further stated that the issue had previously reached the Supreme Court, with a judgment delivered on the rightful ownership. He asserted that the land was originally part of a larger estate shared among Alagbasa children and that the documents tendered in court by the church allegedly belong to a different family with no land holdings in the vicinity.
Asked to respond, Kupolati explained that while the new party had filed a statement of defence, it lacked accompanying evidence—a crucial flaw.
“We have seen their arguments, but until they bring concrete proof, it remains unsubstantiated,” Kupolati said. “As of now, the court’s position is that the Deeper Life Bible Church remains in control of the land, and with security protection in place, we can continue our ministry without fear.”
He added that if the new party believes they have ownership claims, the trial phase would be the appropriate forum to present evidence. Until then, the current court ruling stands.
Thursday’s hearing underscores the broader implications of this case—about due process, property rights, and the relationship between local authorities and religious institutions. For the Deeper Life Bible Church, this isn’t just about buildings or compensation.
“This is about justice,” Kupolati concluded. “This is about ensuring that those who serve God and community are not treated like squatters on their land. The law must protect the sanctity of worship.”
As the legal proceedings move toward full trial, all eyes will be on the courtroom to see whether justice, indeed, will be served.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, has said that the state government had no issues with the church and had no hand in the demolition.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has always promoted fairness. We hold Deeper Life Church in high regard. The state government did not order the demolition,” he said.