CSO Pleads For Urgent Intervention In Alleged Attempt To Take Over Developer’s 2.5-hectare Abuja Property

Civil society organisation known as Competent Governance for Accountability and Civic Trust, CGACT, has called for urgent intervention over alleged attempt to take over a 2.5-hectare property in Karmo District, Abuja, belonging to Manec Homes Limited.
The group, which is committed to transparency, accountability, due process and citizens’ rights, called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and other relevant authorities to urgently establish the facts behind the property and ensure that the dispute is discreetly resolved through due process.
According to the group in a press statement signed by national coordinator of CGACT, Amb. Omoba Michael, and its general secretary, Malam Baba Suleiman, the matter was brought before the Nigeria Police Force, after which the parties submitted their title and allocation documents for verification by relevant authorities from the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, FCDA.
“Information available to us indicates that the reported outcome recognised Manec Homes Limited’s claim and raised concerns about documents relied upon by Major General Wilson Ali (rtd). We urge the appropriate authorities to independently verify these claims.
“A major concern is an alleged Letter of Intent purportedly issued in 2007 in favour of Bijou Properties Limited.
“We understand that no corresponding record of the document was reportedly found in FCDA records. We also understand that CAC records indicate that Bijou Properties Limited was incorporated in 2022. If independently confirmed, this raises a serious question about how a document purportedly issued to the company in 2007 could predate its incorporation.
“We further understand that Major General Wilson Ali (rtd) is reportedly not listed as a director of the company. These matters require urgent authentication by the relevant authorities,” the CSO posited.
CGACT also also expressed concern over allegations that armed military personnel were deployed to the disputed property, allegedly preventing Manec Homes representatives from accessing the premises and subjecting them to intimidation and threats.
“If established, the use of serving military personnel in a private property dispute would raise serious concerns about the use of state security resources and possible abuse of official influence.
“We therefore urge the FCT Minister, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, and relevant security authorities to investigate the allegation and ensure that no security agency is used to circumvent due process.
“We are further concerned by allegations that Major General Wilson Ali (rtd) has relied on his relationship with the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, in resisting the reported outcome of the investigation.
“It has also been alleged that he has claimed General Musa was his course mate and that while General Musa remains Minister of Defence, neither an individual nor even a court could prevent him from taking over the property,” the group alleged, noting, however, that it does not present these allegations as established facts that there should be adequate clarification and appropriate investigation on them.
The group also appealed to Defence Minister to maintain strict neutrality and ensure that his office and reputation were not drawn into the dispute, noting that no personal relationship, professional association or course-mate connection should override the rule of law.
Among its demands, CGACT wants an urgent and impartial review of FCDA records concerning the allocation and status of the 2.5-hectare property; authentication of all title and allocation documents, particularly the alleged 2007 Letter of Intent, and investigation of the reported 2007/2022 incorporation discrepancy involving Bijou Properties Limited.
It also wants an investigation into the alleged deployment of armed military personnel and assurance that security agencies are not used to intimidate or dispossess any party; strict adherence to due process, with all parties refraining from taking the law into their own hands, protection of the integrity of the FCDA land administration system, regardless of the status or connections of any party, as well as referral of any document or conduct found to be fraudulent or unlawful to the appropriate law-enforcement authorities.
It concluded, among others, that its position and demands were not intended to prejudge the rights of any party, but a call for transparency, due process, protection of property rights and the integrity of public institutions.