Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a significant ruling, restraining the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA) from demolishing Trademore Estate in Abuja’s Lugbe area. Justice Mohammed Zubairu, in an interim injunction, ordered the defendants/respondents to maintain the status quo and halt any plans to demolish the estate.
In the Motion No: M/11692/2023 dated July 12, 2023, the first to fourth defendants/respondents are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the FCDA, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The judge granted an order “restraining the Defendants, whether by themselves, agents, employees, officials, privies, and all those purporting to be acting for them, or to have derived title from them, or other persons howsoever and whomsoever called from trespassing on or further trespassing on, demolishing, or further demolition of all that Trademore Estate Lugbe, Abuja, Known as Plot 1981, Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, and other appurtenances thereof at Lugbe, Abuja, with the buildings and appurtenances thereon, or from evicting the occupants of the said property from it, or in any way interfering with the Plaintiff’s exclusive right of ownership and possession of the said property pending the determination of the Motion on Notice”.
Furthermore, Justice Zubairu directed all parties to maintain the status quo, while the Motion on Notice and Writ of Summons must be served on the defendants without delay.
The hearing of the Motion on Notice is scheduled for September 22, 2023. The residents of Trademore Estate took this legal action after a petition to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) expressing their concerns over the planned demolition of over 60 houses in the residential area. Represented by their lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the residents deny allegations that the estate lacks development plan approval. They argue that the estate was developed in 2007, and until recently, no cases of flooding had been reported.
In protest against the impending demolition, the residents closed the gates of the estate last week. The planned demolition operation, which involved a heavy presence of law enforcement personnel, prompted the residents to suggest that the move was politically motivated.
During the peaceful protest, the residents walked along the Musa Yar’Adua Expressway to voice their dissatisfaction. Holding placards with various messages, they emphasized that the flooding issue could be resolved by addressing its root causes, such as water flow from Lokogoma and neighboring areas into the river passing through Trademore Estate.
Some of the placards displayed messages like “Provide engineering solutions, not makeshift measures,” “Trademore Estate is not a disaster zone,” “Take responsibility for the job you are paid to do,” “Federal Mortgage Bank can’t support illegal activities,” and “Put an end to negligent thinking.”
The residents, who purchased houses in the estate through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), argue that they should not suffer the consequences of an illegitimate action by a government agency.
According to the residents, the estate was established in 2007 when the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) was responsible for land allocation. They claim that the necessary allocation documents and approval from AMAC were obtained accordingly.
One resident, Fred Henry, expressed his frustration, saying, “Instead of declaring our homes a disaster zone just to justify demolition, the government should fulfill its responsibility by implementing proper water channels. The water causing flooding in Trademore comes from Lokogoma and even as far as the Voice of Nigeria office area. They should investigate and address the issues there.”
It is worth noting that similar demolitions have recently occurred in other parts of the country, leading to controversy. For instance, the Lagos State government ordered the demolition of 17 shops in a market located in the Ojo Local Government Area. Speculation has emerged that the governor, Sanwo-Olu, initiated the demolition as a form of punishment against the Igbo community, who allegedly did not support him in the gubernatorial election.
One disconcerting aspect of these demolitions is the lack of compensation or alternative accommodation provided by the government. This situation highlights the challenges faced by individuals who are suddenly rendered homeless due to government actions.
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