From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Senate has launched an investigation into recent demolitions of properties in the Federal Capital Territory following a motion raised during plenary on Thursday by Ireti Kingibe, the lawmaker representing the FCT Senatorial District.
Seconded by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), Kingibe called for an immediate suspension of all ongoing and planned demolitions, including those of estates already marked for demolition.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that the Senate could not halt demolitions mandated by court orders.
“The Minister will continue with the demolition of structures ordered by the courts to avoid accusations of disobeying court rulings,” Akpabio said.
To address the issue, the Senate resolved to establish an investigative committee to examine the demolitions.
The committee will invite the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to explain the rationale behind the actions. It also instructed that demolitions not backed by court orders be halted pending the outcome of the committee’s findings.
Meanwhile, Wike has doubled down on his resolve to continue demolitions of illegal structures on government land, despite growing criticism.
Speaking at the FCTA Secretariat in Abuja during the distribution of operational vehicles to security agencies, the Minister declared he would not be swayed by blackmail.
He said, “Let me tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja that we are not afraid of blackmail.
“You cannot be in this position and allow yourself to be intimidated, especially in Abuja.
“There are many land grabbers. We have come to put our feet down. Let heaven fall. It is better it falls now than for us to keep fasting to go to heaven.
“We will not spare anyone who thinks they can take government land without proper approval or documentation. Whether you are a civil rights activist or a media personality, what is wrong is wrong. No amount of blackmail will stop us.”
Wike also vowed to revoke land titles for defaulters who fail to pay required fees, warning that he would not hesitate to reallocate such properties.
“If you haven’t paid, I will give you time. Once that time expires, forget it. I will revoke your title and allocate it to those who will pay,” he said.
The Minister’s demolition drive has drawn widespread criticism. Recently, Paullosa Nigeria Limited, a construction company, raised concerns after receiving a demolition notice for its estate in the Lifecamp area of Abuja.
The estate’s General Manager, Vincent Enoghase, alleged that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had demanded ₦10 million for a Right of Occupancy, which the company paid but had not received before the quit notice was issued.
