The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, expressed his dismay over receiving abusive text messages from a land developer in Abuja who accused him of being anti-Igbo.
Wike emphasized that the Federal Capital Territory is entering a new phase, making it unfavorable for individuals intending to deceive the government under the guise of being land developers.
During an interview with a group of journalists, the minister recounted how the developer sent him insulting messages, falsely claiming that Wike had vowed to take action against the Igbo community.
Quoting the offensive text, Wike said, “He alleged, ‘You claimed you want to target the Igbos.’
“Consider such an act of blackmail. Did he allocate the land in question to the Igbo community? How can someone believe they’re clever enough to spread rumors that I threatened to target the Igbo community, and people actually entertain such claims?”
He highlighted the deceptive practices of land grabbers who pose as developers to deceive the government.
Regarding the legal actions against the FCTA, he clarified that the lawsuits existed prior to his appointment as the minister.
He remarked, “The root of the problem in this country is impunity. It’s the mindset of ‘I’ve been getting away with it before, and I’ll continue to do so without consequences.’ Criminal behavior takes various forms. Land grabbing in the FCT is unprecedented. Since assuming office, I’ve received numerous petitions.
“There’s one company in particular that has garnered over 10 petitions from different property owners. I convened a meeting with them, and they arrived with their legal representatives, some of whom are senior advocates. I addressed them, pointing out the multiple petitions from different companies—Company A, Company B, Company C, and so on.
“I made it clear that I would seek advice from external solicitors, as I couldn’t rely solely on internal sources due to compromise in the legal secretariat and land department. Two highly respected lawyers provided their opinions, both arriving at the same conclusion.”
Wike clarified that the disputed land was allocated prior to his tenure as minister.
“The land in question was allocated when there was no minister. The previous minister left on May 29, 2023, and in June, the Director of Lands made the allocation.
“These individuals thought they were outsmarting us. We cautioned Company B not to take any further action until we reached a final decision. But what did they do? They continued attempting to fence and allocate the land for sale.
“I became aware of their actions when a lady approached me seeking advice on purchasing land in the area. Upon hearing the location, I advised against it due to ongoing issues. Later, she returned, revealing that people were buying and constructing on the land. I was taken aback.”
“I was about to inaugurate the Sunrise Water Park, the largest of its kind in the area. The commissioning was scheduled for Friday. However, on Thursday before that, the same company and its associates filed a lawsuit attempting to halt the commissioning. They colluded with the FCT lawyer, but fortunately, they failed to obtain an injunction.
“After this incident, I immediately contacted the general counsel to inquire about the legal representation for the FCT. I instructed them to retrieve the file from the external lawyer.”
“How can there be collusion with a plaintiff against us? It’s beyond belief. They file lawsuits against me as the FCT minister without my knowledge. These individuals operate as if we’re dealing with the PDP in Anambra State. This is their modus operandi. They have court judgments ready at their disposal, almost like magic. But I told them they’re wasting their time.
“No court injunction was served on me because we had already agreed that no action should be taken. Yet, they proceeded, thinking they were smart, and started selling the land. Their actions have severely impacted government revenue generation as the land remains unused for economic purposes.
“What’s the point of the government selling the land? They come, claiming they need hundreds of hectares and promising development, but they never deliver. Instead, they become land speculators, solely interested in making a profit. It’s truly embarrassing.”
He emphasized that illegal activities would no longer be tolerated, as proper procedures would be followed in land acquisition.
“As long as I am in charge of the FCT, there will be no more business as usual. When you request land, I will inquire about your financial capacity and the timeline for development. If the agreed-upon timeframe elapses without development, the FCT reserves the right to reclaim the land,” he declared.
Regarding the legality of demolitions in the FCT, he argued that investors are failing to utilize the acquired land for projects that could generate revenue.
“If you propose to build a park that creates jobs and revenue, that’s what we consider an investment. But when you claim the government allocated land to build houses, and instead, you’re illegally allocating it to individuals who then build on their own, it defeats the initial purpose of the land allocation,” he explained.
Explaining why the FCT demolished buildings rather than pursuing legal action against offenders, he highlighted the sluggish nature of obtaining judgments and orders. He criticized the connections some individuals have within the legal secretariat, enabling them to influence land administration.
He recounted an incident where the court ordered the FCTA to return land documents to offenders to prove their ownership.
According to a document signed by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, on September 21, 2023, the FCT minister ordered the revocation of approximately 165 plots of land due to violations and breaches of the terms of land development as outlined in Section 28(5) (a) & (b) of the Land Use Act.
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