Deeper Life Church Rejects ₦10M Compensation, Demands Comparable Compensation, Protection Over Church Building Demolition …court ordered Surulere LG to vacate the land

The Deeper Life Bible Church has turned down an offer of N10 million compensation from the Surulere Local Government over their demolished church building situated at 36 Aina Street, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos State. Instead, the church has demanded a comparable alternative of monetary compensation for the building value or the allocation of a new parcel of land within the local government to enable the church members to continue their religious activities without molestation.

The church has lodged a formal complaint with the Acting Inspector-General of Police at Zone 2 Headquarters, requesting protection for its members from external intimidation and harassment during their lawful religious activities on the disputed landed property, pending resolution of the subject matter. 

Following the demolition of the church’s building and failed compensation negotiations, a Lagos High Court on Thursday, 19 July 2025, ordered Surulere Local Government and its representatives to vacate the parcel of land belonging to the Deeper Life Bible Church.

In his ruling on the matter, Justice E.O. Ashade also restrained the Local Government and its officials from undertaking any form of development on the disputed land, and directed that members of the church should be given unfettered access to use the property for worship and other religious activities.

Justice Ashade further ordered the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, to protect the church and its members to prevent further interference and breakdown of law and order.

The ruling came after failed attempts to reach a peaceful settlement, as the church accused the local government of undermining the settlement process by offering N10m compensation without adequate valuation of the disputed land, demolished building, and other lost property. This followed the intervention of the police and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Speaking to journalists on Thursday on the court’s ruling, the church’s lead counsel and spokesman, Mr. Taiwo Kupolati, SAN, said the officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) carried out the demolition exercise on May 27, 2025.

Kupolati said that, as a peace-loving organisation, the church chose to pursue the legal means to settle the matter. While we were told LASBCA acted independently, we know the local government had earlier indicated interest in the land,” he stated.

“A letter was delivered to the church’s counsel offering N10m as full and final compensation for both the demolished church building and the entire land. We responded immediately, requesting that a fair settlement should be based on a joint valuation by the local government’s valuer and the church’s valuer, and possibly the provision of an alternative land within the same local government. But there was no response”, Kupolati said.

“Our members are raising questions on the legality of the demolition and to ensure fair compensation, the church is calling for an independent and thorough valuation of the affected property”.

The refusal of the local government to further engage in the settlement process and its application for an extension of time to file a defence in court demonstrated that the LG was no longer interested in resolving the issue amicably.

“Now, the settlement has completely broken down. Despite the peaceful way we approached them, they (the local government) repaid us with silence and disregard. The local government has proved they are no longer interested in a settlement, filed a statement of defence and an application for extension of time,” Kupolati said.

The church had accused the Lagos State agencies, including the Lagos State Building Control Agency, and officials of Surulere Local Government of demolishing its building.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, has distanced the state government from the involvement in the demolition exercise and has no issues with the church.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has always promoted fairness. We hold Deeper Life Church in high regard, and the state government did not order the demolition, it was a local government affair”, he said.

“He reassured that the governor’s Special Adviser on Religious Matters (Christian) is engaged with the church representatives and has begun talks with them for amicable resolution”, the commissioner said.