Eze Innocent Okpara, a developer and manager of an estate under construction, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu regarding the demolition of a property valued at N3 billion in Maitama Hills, Mpape, located in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Okpara expressed dismay over the demolition, stating that the land in question was already the subject of a court case. He questioned the actions of the FCT administration, urging them to await the outcome of the legal proceedings.
“This is our estate,” Okpara lamented. “We commenced development around 2019, and several structures were already in place, including three completed units, four units in progress, and a plaza’s Development Permit Certificate (DpC) completed.”
He further explained, “It is Woodcrest Estate, and we have been denied access to the site. Despite our attempts to inspect the situation, we have been prevented from doing so. From what I can see, the structures we completed have been demolished entirely, and we are not permitted to salvage any belongings, including household items and furniture.”
Okpara revealed that the estate spans 11,000 square meters in Mpape 2, Maitama Hills, and emphasized the existence of a prior court case regarding the land.
Regarding the legal dispute, Okpara identified “One Majin” as being in contention with his employer over land ownership.
In addition to Okpara’s statements, Tony Ogbulafor, the developer’s legal counsel, called on the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to intervene and urged restraint from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Ogbulafor highlighted the ongoing legal proceedings, noting that the case was adjourned to May 15, 2024, following the claimant’s absence in court on November 15, 2023. He cited a previous court ruling that instructed both parties to maintain the status quo.
“We adhered to the court’s directive by displaying the building plan approval on the property,” Ogbulafor stated. “I represent the estate owners, and upon receiving reports of demolition, I visited the site. However, access was denied by law enforcement personnel, citing ongoing demolition activities.”
He elaborated on the legal dispute involving Majin Nigeria Limited, the FCT Minister, and the Federal Government, emphasizing their compliance with court orders and the presentation of relevant documents to prove ownership.
“In compliance with the court order, we halted all development activities pending the resolution of the matter,” Ogbulafor emphasized. “We expected adherence to the court’s directive from all parties involved, but the circumstances surrounding the demolition remain unclear.”
The situation underscores the complexity of land disputes and the need for a fair and transparent resolution process.
