By Ayomie Otitoju
Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and other relevant authorities to suspend planned demolitions at Plot 5334 in Maitama, Abuja, pending an urgent legal and technical review.
The organisation also urged the authorities to review the allocation of the land to a private entity for real estate development, citing concerns over public safety, environmental protection and critical drainage infrastructure.
In a statement, Amnesty International Nigeria said the site, located in Cadastral Zone A06, was reportedly designated as an infrastructure corridor housing underground stormwater and sewage drainage facilities constructed by Julius Berger Plc between 2012 and 2014 to address flooding risks in the area.
It warned that allowing private construction on the site could compromise drainage systems, increase flood risks and undermine the integrity of Abuja’s Master Plan.
The organisation said the dispute had been brought to the attention of the authorities through administrative petitions and was also the subject of ongoing litigation seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain development for private residential use and protect adjacent property pending the determination of the substantive suit.
It added that an alternative dispute resolution process before the FCT ADR Committee was reportedly nearing completion.
According to the statement, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had inspected the site and reportedly confirmed that it was reserved for an infrastructure corridor.
“These circumstances make it particularly important that the relevant authorities resolve the outstanding legal, administrative and technical issues before taking steps that could cause irreversible harm,” the organisation said.
Amnesty International Nigeria said its concerns had intensified following the issuance of a demolition notice dated October 9, 2026, by the Director of Development Control, reportedly targeting protective boundary structures along the corridor.
It warned that proceeding with the demolition before the outstanding issues were resolved could undermine due process, prejudice ongoing dispute-resolution efforts and expose neighbouring properties and essential infrastructure to avoidable risks.
The organisation identified its national office, nearby residential premises and national security facilities among properties that could be affected by the proposed development.
It also recalled that, in correspondence to Wike and the FCDA in May 2026, it had warned that construction along the corridor could threaten the structural stability of its building and residential premises, as well as expose them to severe flooding.
Amnesty International Nigeria said obstructing the corridor could disrupt stormwater flows and create wider environmental hazards across the district.
It called for an independent technical assessment of the corridor, including its drainage capacity, the potential effects of construction and the risks to neighbouring properties and public infrastructure.
The organisation further demanded a review of the alleged land allocation and the disclosure of relevant allocation records, planning approvals, technical assessments and the legal basis for permitting private development on land reportedly reserved for public infrastructure.
It urged the FCT authorities to ensure that no development proceeds until the legal, administrative and technical concerns have been properly examined.
“The protection of Abuja’s critical infrastructure, public safety and the environment must take precedence over private development interests where these conflict,” the statement said.
Amnesty International Nigeria also called on the authorities to respect due process, uphold the rule of law and ensure that affected parties have access to justice and effective remedies.
