The Senate has directed minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike to half the demolitions in the state, except those that have been ordered by the court.
The directive was sequel to a motion sponsored by senator representing FCT, Ireti Kingibe.
Kingibe had expressed concerns that the demolition in the FCT has taken a dangerous dimension and insisted that there was a need for the house to intervene.
Parts of his motion read: “Further concerned that demolition in FCT is no longer in line with due process and that a cross-section of individuals have suffered untold hardship occasioned by massive demolitions which has led to a loss of properties worth billions of naira.”
“Note that the Federal Capital Administration, on the instruction of the Honorable Minister of Federal Capital Territory, embarked on massive demolition of structures within the Federal Capital Territory.”
“Also note that the demolition, according to the FCT authority, was informed by illegal structures and non-development of allocated plots of land by the FCT administration.”
“Concerned that in recent time, the demolition exercise in the FCT is no longer based on reasons adduced by the FCT administration that necessitated the demolition. Further concerned that the current demolition in the FCT is not in line with due process of court orders to demolish.”
“Also concerned that at the moment, an estate by name Merss Paulosa, for which late Colonel Paul Osang Kwanwa of Bebo, is the chairman, is currently under revocation and demolition. And from reliable information, the said plot of land was allocated to him in 1984 with the requisite title document.”
“And further concerned that the owner of this estate was a patriotic Nigerian who served the nation meritoriously and one of the first intakes of the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, with registration number 001.”
Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi objected to the motion and urged the house not to stop the minister from carrying out his statutory functions, suggesting an investigation into the demolitions carried out so far.
Replying Senate President, Godswill Akpabio told Karimi to drop sentiments and be patriotic, stating that damage cannot be done first only to be investigated later.
Akpabio expressed concern that the government may face court action by those who were aggrieved by the demolition.
The Senate President subsequently ruled that the ongoing demolition should be halted.
The upper house of assembly resolved to set up an ad hoc committee led by deputy senate president, Barau Jibrin to investigate the matter.
The house also asked Wike to appear before the committee to answer questions about the demolitions that have rendered many people homeless in the nation’s capital.
