Amnesty International Nigeria has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to droop deliberate demolition actions affecting a public utility hall in Maitama, Abuja, pending a assessment of its allocation for personal growth.
The organisation stated the proposed demolition and growth of Plot 5334 in Cadastral Zone A06 might threaten essential drainage infrastructure, improve flooding dangers and undermine Abuja’s Master Plan.
In an announcement, Amnesty International Nigeria referred to as on the FCT Minister, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and different related authorities to assessment the alleged allocation of the land to Hammari Energy Limited for personal actual property growth.
The organisation stated the hall reportedly accommodates underground stormwater and sewage drainage infrastructure constructed by Julius Berger Plc between 2012 and 2014 to deal with flooding dangers within the space.
It expressed concern that permitting personal building on the positioning might intervene with the drainage system, endanger neighbouring properties and expose residents to environmental hazards.
The name comes amid ongoing litigation in search of interlocutory injunctions to restrain the event of Plot 5334 for personal residential use and defend an adjoining property pending the willpower of the substantive go well with.
Amnesty International Nigeria stated the dispute was additionally the topic of another dispute decision course of earlier than the FCT ADR Committee, which it understood was nearing completion.
According to the organisation, the FCDA had inspected the positioning and reportedly confirmed that it was reserved for an infrastructure hall.
It argued that the excellent authorized, administrative and technical points needs to be resolved earlier than any motion that might trigger irreversible injury to public infrastructure or neighbouring properties.
However, the organisation stated the Director of Development Control issued a demolition discover dated October 9, 2026, reportedly focusing on protecting boundary constructions alongside the hall.
Amnesty International Nigeria warned that continuing with the demolition earlier than a correct assessment might undermine due course of, prejudice ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute and expose surrounding properties to avoidable dangers.
It additionally recognized its nationwide workplace, residential premises and close by nationwide safety services as properties that might be affected by the proposed growth.
The organisation stated it had written to Wike and the FCDA in May 2026, warning that building on the hall might threaten the structural stability of its constructing and residential premises whereas exposing them to extreme flooding.
It maintained that the hall served a wider drainage perform and that obstructing it might disrupt drainage techniques throughout the district.
Amnesty International Nigeria referred to as for an impartial technical evaluation to set up the hall’s drainage capability, the potential penalties of building and the dangers to neighbouring properties and public infrastructure.
It stated selections regarding essential utility corridors needs to be guided by verifiable technical proof, relevant legal guidelines and the general public curiosity.
The organisation urged the FCT authorities to instantly droop the deliberate demolition pending an pressing authorized and technical assessment, together with consideration of the continued litigation and different dispute decision course of.
It additionally referred to as for the disclosure of the related land allocation data, planning approvals, technical assessments and authorized foundation for allowing personal growth on land reportedly reserved for public infrastructure.
In addition, it requested the authorities to be sure that no growth proceeds till the potential dangers to public security, neighbouring properties and the surroundings have been correctly assessed.
The organisation additional urged the authorities to respect due course of, be sure that affected events have entry to justice and take steps to defend important public infrastructure.
It warned that demolition mustn’t proceed whereas important questions concerning the land’s designation, the protection implications of the proposed growth and the relevant authorized processes stay unresolved.
Amnesty International Nigeria stated a brief suspension would enable the excellent points to be addressed with out risking irreversible injury to public infrastructure, neighbouring properties or the surroundings.
It urged the FCT Minister and related authorities to act lawfully and transparently, stressing that the safety of essential infrastructure, public security and the surroundings ought to take priority the place these pursuits battle with personal growth.
UPDATE NEWS:
Nigerians can now make investments ₦2.5 million on premium domains and revenue about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than surprise,
click here to find out how it works.
