The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the alleged demolition of Peka Park & Garden in Abuja, a property belonging to the late High Chief Dr. P. O. Ikenta, a former patron and financier of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation's youth wing. The property, situated at Plot 1353, Cadastral Zone A02, Wuse 1, Abuja, is operated through Obike Industries Nigeria Limited.
According to documents made available by the owners, the property had received ministerial approval in 2007 for its allocation as a green area/garden. The late Chief Ikenta was not only a prominent businessman who contributed to the development of Abuja's hospitality sector but also a committed patron and financier of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth organisation during his lifetime.
The controversy surrounding the property is already the subject of litigation in Suit No. CV/840/16 before the FCT High Court, Court No. 4, Maitama, Abuja. The owners said that following repeated trespass on the property, they approached the court and sought, among other reliefs, an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants, including the FCT Minister and the FCDA, from demolishing or dealing with the property in any manner adverse to their interests.
The owners stated that after the presiding judge conducted a visit to the locus in quo, the court granted an interlocutory order on March 9, 2017, restraining the defendants from destroying, demolishing or otherwise dealing with the garden and developments therein in a manner detrimental or adverse to the claimants' interests. Despite the court order, officials of the FCT Administration returned to the property on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, and allegedly marked structures within the garden with quit notices.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing described the development as deeply concerning, particularly because of the alleged existence of a court order directly touching on the property. The youth body, in a statement by its acting secretary Anderson Achilike, appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to immediately halt further demolition or interference with the property and ensure compliance with the subsisting order of the FCT High Court.
On Thursday, September 24, 2026, officials of the FCDA entered the premises with bulldozers and police personnel and demolished the perimeter fencing and damaged or destroyed other structures and equipment within the garden. The owners alleged that the officials said they were acting on the directive of the FCT Administration and warned that they would return to complete the demolition.
The Ohanaeze youths said the matter goes beyond the commercial interests of the late Chief Ikenta's family, describing him as a respected patron who contributed significantly to the growth of Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth activities and to the development of the hospitality industry in Abuja. The organisation urged the FCT Administration to maintain peace and allow the court to determine the competing claims over the property.
Key points
- The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing appeals to President Tinubu to intervene in the alleged demolition of Peka Park & Garden in Abuja.
- The property had received ministerial approval in 2007 for its allocation as a green area/garden.
- The controversy surrounding the property is already the subject of litigation in Suit No. CV/840/16 before the FCT High Court.
