Abuja Developers Threaten Contempt Proceedings Against FCT Minister Amid Land Dispute

In the heart of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, a contentious land dispute has erupted, resulting in the demolition of a duplex under construction and setting the stage for a fierce legal battle over land ownership rights. This real estate drama, unfolding on Plot 226, Cotonou Street, Wuse Zone 6, has drawn the attention of both legal experts and the local community.

[See Provided Court File]

The Controversy Unveiled

On a fateful Monday, August 29, 2023, news broke of the demolition of a structure under construction, sending waves through Abuja's real estate circles. The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) cited its mission to safeguard the Abuja masterplan as the driving force behind this bold action. According to their findings, the duplex, owned by Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Kamba, was allegedly sitting on land owned by another party.

This assertion has led to a high-stakes standoff between Kamba and the family of the late Alake of Egbaland, who vehemently claim the disputed plot as their rightful property.

The roots of this land dispute delves into its own deep-rooted history. The plot in question originally belonged to a predecessor in title to Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Kamba. This predecessor had erected a guest house on the land, operating it successfully for over two decades, collecting rent, and eventually selling the property to Kamba in 2019.

[See Provided Court File]

However, a shadow of doubt was cast over Kamba's ownership when a local legal practitioner in Abuja took a direct criminal complaint to the Grade 1 Area Court, accusing him of trespassing. This complaint also asserted that the land belonged to Oyepade Lipede, the late Alake of Egbaland. The legal tussle that ensued eventually led to the dismissal of the case on September 1, 2020, with the Area Court Judge advising the involved parties to elevate the matter to the FCT High Court, recognizing it as an issue of title to land.

[See CTC Ruling]

Threats and Counteractions

As the controversy deepens, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Kamba, incensed by the actions of the FCTA, has vowed to take legal action against Barrister Nyesom Wike, the head of the FCTA. His legal representative, Okechukwu C. Uju-Azorji, has announced their intention to pursue contempt proceedings against Wike, alleging an abuse of legal processes.

Furthermore, Kamba intends to sue the Director of Development Control at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA), asserting that the demolition of his property exceeded the director's authority.

This dispute is not an isolated incident but rather indicative of a concerning trend in the Federal Capital Territory—land grabbing. Individuals, often posing as developers, in collusion with various actors, are encroaching on plots allocated to legitimate landowners. This trend has started to affect not only plots allocated by Area Councils but also those assigned by the FCTA.

The clash between property rights, legal processes, and the preservation of the Abuja masterplan continues to intensify. As court papers continue to pile up, the question of rightful ownership looms large, and the fate of the disputed duplex remains uncertain.