An adhoc committee set up by the Senate has summoned the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike over the demolition of Structures in the capital city.
The nine-man Committee was set up today, December 12, to ascertain the propriety of the demolitions. The committee did not give specific date for the minister to appear before it.
The setting up of the adhoc committee and summoning of the minister followed complain by a Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, who told her colleagues at the plenary that the demolitions of Structures are causing untold hardship to victims.
Senator Ireti pleaded with the Senate to intervene and prevent further demolition of structures, including estates already marked.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) seconded the motion, asking that the demolitions should be stopped pending the outcome of a Senate investigation into the matter.
However, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio gave reasons why the Senate cannot stop Wike from the demolition exercises.
According to Akpabio, “all demolitions could not be stopped because some were ordered by the courts.
“The minister can continue with demolition of structures ordered by the courts in order not to be culpable of disobeying court orders.”
The minister was accused of revoking the land titles of an estate in the FCT and issued the same to Saravera Nigeria Limited, and the Minority Leader and member of the House of Representatives representing Obio/Akpor Constituency, Kingsley Chinda.
The General Manager of the estate in the Lifecamp area of Abuja, Vincent Enoghase, had claimed that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had issued a demolition notice.
