The Senate has directed the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to suspend all demolition activities in the FCT, except those sanctioned by a competent court, pending the outcome of an investigation by its ad-hoc committee.
The resolution was reached following a motion sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT) during plenary. Kingibe highlighted that recent demolitions in the FCT, reportedly initiated on the orders of the minister, have caused significant hardship to affected residents, with property losses running into billions of naira.
According to Kingibe, the demolitions were justified by the FCTA as targeting illegal structures and undeveloped plots. However, she expressed concern that the exercise now appears to be carried out without adherence to due process or valid court orders.
“It is worrisome that the demolition exercise no longer aligns with the reasons provided by the FCTA, causing untold hardship to individuals and businesses,” Kingibe stated. She further cited the example of an estate currently under revocation and demolition, which, according to her, was legally allocated in 1984 to a retired patriot and former Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) cadet.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi), who seconded the motion, called for an immediate suspension of the demolition exercise and the establishment of an investigative committee. She also urged the Senate to summon FCTA officials to address the matter objectively.
The Senate subsequently set up an ad-hoc committee chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin to investigate the demolitions and report back within two weeks. Other members of the committee include Senators Victor Umeh, Jimoh Ibrahim, Abdullahi Yahaya, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Mohammed Monguno, Oyelola Ashiru, and Sahabi Yaú.
The committee’s mandate includes investigating the legality of the demolitions, assessing the impact on affected residents, and ensuring that future actions align with due process.
By: Julian Adetinuyo
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