A legal practitioner, Matthew Onoja, representing Hongye International Nigeria Limited, a lessee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to protect a disputed green area in Kado Estate, Abuja. Onoja claimed that his client was facing an attempt to take possession of the property despite a pending court case over the land.
According to Onoja, the dispute arose from the purported allocation of the same property to another party, describing the circumstances surrounding the allocation as unusual. His client had petitioned the IGP, seeking an investigation into how the property could have been allocated to another party while Hongye remained in possession. The police had indicated that the other party would also be invited to present its documents.
Onoja disclosed that despite the pending case and notifications to the relevant authorities, men arrived at the property with equipment and bulldozers and began removing structures and installations. The perimeter fence was destroyed, trees were felled, and installations belonging to his client were pulled down. Onoja alleged that the men arrived in marked pickup trucks and that some of them were armed.
The lawyer argued that even where ownership or occupation of land is disputed, the affected party should not be dispossessed without due process, stressing that his client was a lawful occupant. Onoja demanded that the parties maintain the status quo, with his client remaining in possession, until the rights of the parties in court are decided.
Executive Director of Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation, Armsfree Ajanaku, expressed concerns that the conversion of Abuja's designated green areas for development could undermine the city's environmental planning. Ajanaku warned that such activities could lead to uncontrolled development, negatively impacting the environment, health, and wellbeing of residents.
Ajanaku linked his concerns to recent flooding in the FCT, stating that Abuja should avoid uncontrolled development, and green spaces contribute to environmental quality. He called for any development allegedly encroaching on designated green areas to be halted and for such spaces to be preserved for their intended purposes.
Onoja and Ajanaku jointly urged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the IGP to intervene and ensure that the parties maintain the status quo pending the determination of the dispute. The case is scheduled for hearing in October 2026.
Key points
- The dispute involves a green area in Abuja's Kado Estate.
- The lawyer and the civil society organisation are urging the FCT Minister and IGP to intervene.
- The case is scheduled for hearing in October 2026.
