Former presidential aide and social commentator, Reno Omokri, has launched a scathing rebuttal against Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over the recent demolition of property allegedly belonging to Obi’s brother in Lagos. The property’s demolition, which Obi decried as lawless and politically motivated, has triggered an intense legal and political debate.
Obi had taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to denounce the action, calling it an affront to justice and rule of law. He suggested that courts cannot make enforceable rulings against unnamed individuals and implied the demolition reflected a deeper political vendetta.
But Reno Omokri, in a detailed response, dismissed Obi’s assertion as baseless and legally flawed.
“Lagos is not a jungle,” Omokri stated. “It is a state governed by laws. This matter has nothing to do with lawlessness, and Obi should stop misleading Nigerians for political capital.”
Omokri, who holds a Master’s degree in Law from the United Kingdom, emphasized that courts across common law jurisdictions—including Nigeria—can and do issue rulings against unnamed individuals referred to as “persons unknown.”
He referenced the legal precedent in London Borough of Barking vs. Persons Unknown, asserting that such cases are valid, especially in land disputes, eviction, or public interest cases.
“Any lawyer worth their salt knows that a court can convict or give orders against unknown persons. Peter Obi is simply demonstrating ignorance of basic legal principles,” Omokri added.
Reno further debunked claims that Obi or his family was being targeted for political reasons. He pointed to the recent financial performance of Fidelity Bank, where Obi holds significant interests, noting a 325% profit increase under the Tinubu administration.
“If the Tinubu government were truly targeting Obi, how come his bank is thriving like never before?” he queried. “In fact, Obi is having the best financial time of his life under this administration.”
Omokri also ridiculed Obi’s earlier alarm over the demolition of parts of the Landmark Beach Resort in Lagos, saying it had nothing to do with ethnicity but rather with eminent domain and state infrastructural priorities.
Reno accused Obi of selective outrage, referencing how the Labour Party leader was silent when the Anambra State Government demolished the head office of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, or when he personally ordered the demolition of Premier Brewery in Onitsha during his tenure as governor.
“Obi did not utter a word when Innoson was crying out for help. Why is he suddenly vocal now that it involves Lagos?” Omokri asked.
He further alleged that some critics believed Obi targeted Premier Brewery due to personal investment in a competing business—accusations which continue to fuel claims of hypocrisy in his recent condemnation.
Omokri accused Obi of consistently using the Lagos State Government’s actions—particularly when they involve Igbos—as tools to stoke ethnic sentiment and revive his “dead-on-arrival 2027 presidential ambition.”
“Every time Lagos lawfully enforces urban planning regulations, Obi is ready to cry foul—if the person affected is of Igbo descent. But he says nothing when the same happens in the Southeast,” Omokri said.
He concluded that such ethnic framing only sows division and does little to advance meaningful national discourse.
While Omokri’s remarks have stirred debates online, some commentators argue that the exchange reflects a deeper mistrust in Nigeria’s justice system and unequal treatment of citizens. Others say both Obi and Omokri are using the incident to bolster their respective political brands in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
Legal experts meanwhile stress the importance of due process, regardless of political affiliations. “Whether for or against demolition, the underlying question should be whether legal processes were duly followed—not who was affected,” said one Lagos-based property law consultant.
As the fallout from the demolition continues, political observers say this latest controversy underscores the increasingly heated rhetorical battle between Nigeria’s key opposition voices and the Tinubu-led federal administration.