Demolition in FCT: Senate asks Wike to halt action

The Senate is set to focus on the ongoing demolition of perceived illegal properties within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It has established a nine-member ad hoc committee to investigate these demolitions and has urged the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to halt the action.

This resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT. In presenting her motion, Senator Kingibe expressed grave concern about the widespread demolitions, which she claimed were being carried out in violation of due process, causing undue hardship to residents affected by the actions of the Federal Capital Administration.

She specifically mentioned the case of the Paul Osang Estate, a property allocated in 1984, which she said was at risk of demolition despite having valid title documents.

Senator Kingibe recalled that the FCT authorities had cited illegal structures and the non-development of allocated plots as reasons for the ongoing demolitions. However, she maintained that this justification could not be supported because due processes were being ignored. She also referred to the Mesas Paulosa estate, which is currently under revocation and demolition. According to reliable information, the plot was allocated in 1984 with the necessary title documents to the late Colonel Paul Osang Kwanwa of Bebo, who was one of the first intakes of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.

Her motion was seconded by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who suggested that the Senate should initiate a comprehensive investigation through the ad hoc committee.

However, senators were divided on the course of action to take. Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, cautioned that the Senate should not take steps that could undermine the FCT Minister’s efforts to sanitize the area. He emphasized the need for thorough investigation before giving any directives, noting that there was insufficient information about the specific land allocation issue mentioned in the motion. He stated, “Mr. President, if you look at this motion, a specific land allocation was mentioned, belonging to late Colonel Paul Osang Kwanwa of Bebo. We don’t have sufficient information about this matter. We are being asked to instruct the minister to stop the demolitions, but there is a need to thoroughly investigate the issue before giving any directive.”

“We must hear from the minister first. We cannot act without understanding the full context. You can’t shave a man’s head behind his back. Let’s ensure we gather all the facts before making a decision,” Senator Sunday Karimi remarked.

However, his position was countered by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonire Ayodele, representing Ondo Central. Senator Ayodele, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, argued that it would be an injustice to the victims of the ongoing demolitions if the Senate did not request the FCT Minister to halt the action while the investigation was conducted.

“With respect, I must express my disagreement on this matter. We need to ensure fairness to all parties involved. Before us is an allegation that requires certain steps to be taken, which may eventually lead to demolitions. However, I do not believe it is appropriate to allow these demolitions to proceed while we are still investigating the matter. My view is straightforward: we should direct the minister to halt any demolition activities immediately and initiate an investigation to ensure a level playing field,” Senator Ayodele stated. “If we allow demolitions to continue and later find that the minister acted wrongly, the damage would already be done, which would not be fair. As Chairman of the External Committee on Judicial and Legal Matters, I align with the position that the demolitions should be paused. If we proceed with demolitions before conducting an investigation, it would lead to unnecessary complications, including potential litigation by affected property owners seeking compensation.”

The President of the Senate, in his concluding remarks, said, “The right course of action, in my opinion, is to put a hold on all demolitions while we set up a committee to investigate. This committee can then invite the minister and other stakeholders to provide explanations and ensure that proper procedures are being followed. We must ascertain that these demolitions are not driven by personal motives and are genuinely in the best interest of Nigerians. This approach will help us act responsibly and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.”

The ad hoc committee was given two weeks to submit its report.

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