The Nigerian Senate has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to suspend the demolition of properties in the FCT pending the conclusion of investigations by an ad-hoc committee.
This resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Ireti Kingibe during Thursday’s plenary, expressing concern over the escalating demolitions in the FCT and the hardships they impose on affected individuals. Kingibe highlighted instances of demolitions allegedly carried out without adherence to due process, causing significant financial losses.
- The demolitions were reportedly initiated on grounds of illegal structures and the failure to develop allocated plots of land.
- Recent actions by the FCT administration appear to deviate from these justifications, with some demolitions allegedly carried out without requisite court orders.
- Specific reference was made to an estate owned by the late Colonel Paul Osang Kwanwa, allocated to him in 1984, which is currently facing revocation and demolition.
Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West, however, urged the Senate to allow the minister to execute his statutory responsibilities while suggesting an investigation into past demolitions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio cautioned against demolitions proceeding before investigations, noting the potential for legal challenges. Acting in the interest of fairness, Akpabio directed the immediate suspension of the demolition activities.
An ad-hoc committee, led by Senator Jibrin Barau, was subsequently established to investigate the demolition activities in the FCT.