Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are advocating for a fair hearing for Engr. Richard Yunana, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), following allegations of compensation fraud linked to his office.
News reports surfaced on Monday, claiming that Yunana attempted to defraud victims of demolitions in Gishiri Village out of their rightful compensation.
However, a coalition of civil society organisations in the FCT asserted that the media portrayals have misrepresented statements made by the FCT Minister during a recent meeting with Gishiri stakeholders.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, representatives from various groups—including the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organization (AOIYEO), the FCT Youths Network, the Abuja Original Inhabitants Women Association, Abuja Grassroots Ambassadors, and the Coalition of Nigeria Youth on Security and Safety Affairs, are calling for a thorough investigation into the fraud allegations, stressing that Yunana has been wrongfully accused.
The statement, which were jointly signed by numerous leaders, including AOIYEO president, Isaac David, FCT Youths Network leader, Umar Makeri, and others, emphasised that the official press release from the FCT Minister’s office effectively clears Yunana of any wrongdoing.
The statement highlighted the minister’s commitment to ensuring fair compensation for owners of demolished structures, regardless of their indigene or non-indigene status.
The group referenced a portion of the minister’s press release, stating, “The Minister directed officials responsible for the disbursement of compensation funds to ensure that all eligible owners of affected structures receive the full amount of their approved compensation,” and stressed the importance of avoiding malpractice.
They encourage anyone seeking clarity on the meeting’s discussions to refer to the official press release issued by Director of Press Anthony Ogunleye.
While they acknowledged the press’s role in ensuring government accountability, the civil society groups urged journalists to accurately present facts to the public.
They also revealed that their own investigations into the demolitions and compensations indicate that no payments were made prior to the demolitions being carried out.
The coalition advocates for social justice, stating, “We will not stand idly by while an innocent individual faces unfounded accusations.
“It is essential to clarify whether the Executive Secretary is responsible for compensation payments or if this falls under the Department of Resettlement and Compensation. We question why Engr. Yunana is being held accountable for actions not within his direct purview.”
The groups are calling for a comprehensive investigation into all parties involved in the compensation process, asserting, “We, the FCT Coalition of Civil Society Groups, demand a thorough inquiry into the alleged fraud.”
They commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for increasing the compensation budget from N655 million to N1.3 billion and expressed confidence that he will undertake a fair investigation regarding the disbursement of funds.
