A group of land owners around Nyanya area at Plot 324, Phase IV Extension of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have urged the minister of FCT Mohammed Bello to intervene in the forceful demolition of their properties.
In a petition by the land owners, signed by Mr Abuo Andrew and forwarded to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA) and Public Complaints Commission (PCC) and Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) the group stated that action of the Abuja Development Control grossly infringes on the fundamental human rights of the occupants which displaced them and threw them into seeking refuge.
In their claims, they said the land was legally acquired and developed by them and they alleged that the minister of Federal Capital Territory was misled to approve the demolition on the grounds that the land is under a high tension electricity line.
“We legally acquired the land six years ago from an Estate Company: Niyi Olamide Ventures (formerly F&B ventures),” they said.
The land owners also said they developed the land in line with development standards and created access roads, built culverts and drainages, and electricity.
The claimants noted that when they were served notice of demolition, they then approached Abuja Development Control, but the department didn’t state if they violated any laws of their mandate, such as building on sewage, power line, drainage, and access roads, etc.
The group, however, appealed to the FCT minister to use his good office to intervene, to give succour to the family members numbering over 100.
“We are ordinary Nigerians, some of us are civil servants, some of us took loans to put shelter over our heads,” they added.
