Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, and Amnesty International Nigeria have urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to suspend a planned demolition exercise along a public utility corridor in Maitama, Abuja, over concerns that the land could be converted into a private estate.
They called for a transparent review of the reported allocation of Plot 5334, in Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, to Hammari Energy Limited, citing concerns about public safety, flooding risks and ongoing legal and administrative proceedings over the property.
Adeyanju questioned the rationale for developing land reportedly housing underground stormwater and sewage drainage infrastructure constructed by Julius Berger Plc between 2012 and 2014 to mitigate flooding in the area.
“Why is a public utility corridor constructed to address flooding risks in Maitama, Abuja being considered for conversion into a private estate?” he asked.
He urged Wike to suspend the demolition and order an independent technical assessment of the site before any further action was taken.
Adeyanju also called on the FCT Administration to explain the basis for allocating the property to the private company, particularly in view of concerns about the corridor’s drainage function and the safety of neighbouring buildings.
“The FCT Administration must clarify the basis for the allocation of Plot 5334 to Hammari Energy Limited, particularly given the concerns raised about the corridor’s drainage function, the safety of neighbouring properties and the ongoing dispute resolution processes,” he said.
His position follows a statement by Amnesty International Nigeria, which warned that proceeding with the demolition and proposed construction before resolving outstanding legal, administrative and technical issues could worsen flooding, threaten public safety and undermine Abuja’s Master Plan.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the organisation said litigation over the property remained pending, including an application for an interlocutory injunction seeking to prevent private residential development on the plot and protect an adjoining property until the substantive suit is determined.
It added that the dispute was also before the FCT Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, where efforts to resolve the matter were reportedly nearing completion.
According to Amnesty International, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had inspected the site and confirmed that it was reserved for an infrastructure corridor.
Despite the unresolved issues, the organisation said the Director of Development Control had issued a demolition notice dated October 9, 2026, reportedly targeting protective boundary structures along the corridor.
Amnesty International warned that proceeding with the exercise could undermine due process, prejudice ongoing dispute-resolution efforts and expose neighbouring properties and essential infrastructure to avoidable risks.
It identified its National Office, nearby residential buildings and national security facilities as among the properties potentially affected by the proposed demolition.
The organisation said it had written to Wike and the FCDA in May 2026 to raise concerns that construction along the corridor could threaten the structural stability of its building and nearby residences, as well as increase the risk of severe flooding.
It explained that interference with the drainage infrastructure could obstruct stormwater flows, worsen flooding and expose surrounding communities to environmental hazards.
Amnesty International therefore called for an independent technical assessment to establish the corridor’s drainage capacity, evaluate the consequences of construction and determine the potential risks to neighbouring properties and public infrastructure.
It also urged the FCT Administration to make public the relevant allocation records, planning approvals, technical assessments and legal justification for permitting private development on land reportedly reserved for public infrastructure.
Both Adeyanju and the organisation maintained that demolition activities should remain suspended until the outstanding legal, administrative and technical concerns had been resolved.
They stressed that public safety, environmental protection and the integrity of essential infrastructure should take precedence over any proposed private development.
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