- Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations of Due Process Violations
The Nigerian Senate has directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to immediately halt the demolition of properties in the FCT until an investigation into the exercise is concluded.
The resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who expressed concerns over the scale and impact of the demolitions, describing them as a deviation from due process.
Kingibe highlighted the economic and emotional toll of the demolition exercise, stating:
“Demolitions in the FCT are no longer in line with due process, leading to untold hardship and the destruction of properties worth billions of naira.”
The motion noted that while the demolitions were initially justified as targeting illegal structures and undeveloped plots, recent actions appear inconsistent with these reasons and lack proper court orders.
Key Concerns Raised
- Lack of Due Process: The demolitions are allegedly being carried out without adherence to legal requirements.
- Impact on Citizens: Massive losses for property owners, including the demolition of the Merss Paulosa Estate, allocated to the late Colonel Paul Osang Kwanwa in 1984.
- Reputational and Legal Risks: Senate President Godswill Akpabio cautioned against potential lawsuits from aggrieved property owners.
Counterarguments
Senator Sunday Karimi opposed halting the demolitions, emphasizing the minister’s statutory duty to ensure proper urban planning in the FCT. He proposed that the Senate investigate past demolitions while allowing the exercise to continue.
However, Akpabio urged restraint, stating:
“Damage cannot be done first, only to be investigated later.”
Senate’s Resolution
- Halt Demolitions: The Senate ruled that ongoing demolitions should stop immediately.
- Investigation: An ad-hoc committee, chaired by Senator Jibrin Barau, was constituted to probe the demolition activities and assess compliance with due process.
The outcome of the investigation will guide the Senate’s further actions on the matter.
