Maroko evictees, who were resettled in Ikota Low Cost Housing Estate in Eti-Osa Council of Lagos State, are worried that demolition of their community was against the court ruling that instructed them to embark on mediation.

They had gone to the High Court, Yaba to stop the demolition and the court asked them to go for mediation with their lawyers.

But while waiting for the mediation to take place, unfortunately, the demolition continued.

One of the landlords, Mr. Abdulsherif Olayinka, who doubles as the Treasurer of the Landlords Association in the community, said: “What is worrisome concerning this matter is that we have been everywhere, even to some government offices and they said they don’t know anything about the demolition.

“We want to see those demolishing our houses. We have gone to court and they said that the landlords and the developers should go for mediation.”

He regretted that many poor women are now fleeing their houses.

The PRO of the Landlords Association, Mr. Olumide Onipede explained that they are living under threat in the community.

“We don’t have peace of mind in our own home anymore, and these are allocated houses. We were moved from Maroko to this place. We have our documents with us. They say once beaten twice shy. How can some people just come to our community saying that we should forcefully sell our land to them? You cannot buy somebody’s property forcefully.”

The secretary of the Landlords Association, Mr. Shonuga Olushola Adeyemi, said: “Let them tell us why they are demolishing our houses. Let us see the faceless developer. And what is the project for? Is it to return everybody back to the village? Is that their plan?

However, the President of the Landlords’ Association, Mr Titus Ewarawon explained that although they are ready for the mediation, they may not be comfortable with the outcome if turns out unfavourable.

“What we want is let the government develop this place for us and let us live a comfortable life. They cannot resettled us here from Maroko and some people will say they want to move us to another place again,” he said.