FCT Minister petitioned over illegal demolition

Despite an order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) restraining officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) from invading the property of a firm, Obike Industry Limited, some officials of the FCDA yesterday, moved in with their bulldozers and demolished parts of the property.

Obike Industry Limited are owners and operators of the garden known as Peka Garden and Parks located at No 26, Aswan Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Describing the demolishing of the property as illegal and contemptuous, management of the firm wondered why FCDA officials will choose to go through the back door to illegally cause mayhem on a property that was legally accorded them.

Meanwhile, the firm through its lawyer, Onyeka Ikenta, has petitioned the FCT minister, Mohammed Bello, calling his attention to the illegal demolishing of the property. The petition, which was also addressed to the FCT permanent secretary, calls on them to call Murktar Galadinma to order.

The petitioners accused Galadinma of using illegal means to cause mayhem on them. “Galadinma illegally led some members of the task force to demolish the property that is legally acquired.

They did so despite a court order conspicuously glued on the wall that our client and staff called their attention to.

We, therefore, bring the foregoing contemptuous act of your office which constitutes serious impunity, to your attention for your immediate action and to call all respective persons to order,” it stated. Justice Peter Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo had stopped the FCDA officials from invading the property.

The ‎firm had approached the court for an order to restrain the FCDA from taking over or demolishing their property.

Credit: Leadership