Wike Under Fire Over Fresh Land Allocation To Private Firm In Abuja

A human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has criticised the planned demolition of structures along a public utility corridor in Maitama, Abuja, over a reported plan to convert the land into a private estate.

Adeyanju urged Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to suspend the demolition and order a transparent review of the reported allocation of the disputed property to Hammari Energy Limited.

The disputed property, identified as Plot 5334 in Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, reportedly contains underground stormwater and sewage drainage infrastructure constructed by Julius Berger Plc between 2012 and 2014 to address flooding risks in the area.

Questioning the rationale for the proposed development, Adeyanju said the land’s reported drainage function raised concerns about the safety of neighbouring properties and the implications of converting public infrastructure into a private estate.

“Why is a public utility corridor constructed to address flooding risks in Maitama, Abuja being considered for conversion into a private estate?” he asked.

He also questioned the reported plan to demolish structures along the corridor, including those around Amnesty International Nigeria’s National Office, and called on the FCT Administration to explain the basis for allocating the land to the private company.

“The FCT Administration must clarify the basis for the allocation of Plot 5334 to Hammari Energy Limited, particularly given the concerns raised about the corridor’s drainage function, the safety of neighbouring properties and the ongoing dispute resolution processes,” he stated.

Adeyanju called for an immediate suspension of the demolition exercise and an independent technical assessment of the site before any further action was taken.

“Critical public infrastructure and the safety of residents must not be put at risk by development decisions made without resolving these fundamental questions,” he added.

His comment follows a statement by Amnesty International Nigeria, which also urged Wike and the relevant authorities to halt the planned demolition and review the reported allocation of the property for private real estate development.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the organisation warned that proceeding with the demolition and proposed construction before resolving outstanding legal, administrative and technical issues could increase flooding risks, threaten public safety and undermine Abuja’s Master Plan.

Amnesty International disclosed that litigation over the property was ongoing, including an application for an interlocutory injunction seeking to prevent private residential development on the plot and protect an adjoining property pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The organisation also said the dispute was before the FCT Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, where efforts to resolve the matter were reportedly nearing completion.

According to Amnesty International, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had inspected the site and confirmed that it was reserved for an infrastructure corridor.

Despite the unresolved issues, the organisation said the Director of Development Control had issued a demolition notice dated October 9, 2026, reportedly targeting protective boundary structures along the corridor.

Amnesty International warned that proceeding with the demolition could undermine due process, prejudice ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute and expose neighbouring properties and essential infrastructure to avoidable risks.

The organisation identified its National Office, nearby residential buildings and national security facilities as among the properties potentially affected by the proposed exercise.

It also recalled that it had written to Wike and the FCDA in May 2026 to raise concerns that construction along the corridor could threaten the structural stability of its building and nearby residences, as well as expose them to severe flooding.

Amnesty International

According to the organisation, interference with the drainage infrastructure could obstruct stormwater flows, worsen flooding and expose surrounding communities to environmental hazards.

It called for an independent technical assessment to determine the corridor’s drainage capacity, examine the potential consequences of construction and establish the risks to neighbouring properties and public infrastructure.

Amnesty International further urged the FCT Administration to disclose the relevant allocation records, planning approvals, technical assessments and legal basis for permitting private development on land reportedly reserved for public infrastructure.

The organisation maintained that demolition activities should remain suspended until the outstanding legal and technical concerns had been resolved and the potential risks to public safety and the environment properly assessed.

This article first appeared on Politics Nigeria: https://politicsnigeria.com/2026/10/12/wike-under-fire-over-fresh-land-allocation-to-private-firm-in-abuja/

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