Why Abuja allottees sued FCT, Others, Over Illegal Military Land Grab

Report By Obinna Ejianya

ABUJA (9News Nigeria) — More than fifty legitimate landowners in Mpape II Layout have taken the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Federal Capital Development Authority and related officials to the High Court of the FCT, accusing them of unlawfully cancelling their land allocations and allowing military-linked developers to trespass on their plots.

The claimants, led by John Zira in a representative capacity for all FCTA allottees in the layout, say the plots were properly allocated to them. Named allottees include Tanko Pmabi (Plot E109E, 4,000 square metres), Prime Business (E119A, one hectare), Samuel Shayo (E111F, 1,900 sqm), Baffalo Shakatafi (E111D, 4,700 sqm), Kefas Mai Rogo (E111C, 2,000 sqm), Damisa (E110G, 2,100 sqm), Ahmad Mai Jama (E111B, 6,500 sqm), Micheal Jezhi Adams (E108E, 5,400 sqm), Shekwolo Shapami (E109G, 4,000 sqm) and Alfa Global (E110cc, one hectare). They say more than fifty landowners are affected.

They hold Offers of Terms of Grant/Occupancy, technical data plans, Area Council receipts, regularisation documents and a confirmation letter from the Director of Urban and Regional Planning showing the plots form part of the approved layout. They claim they have remained in peaceful possession and paid all statutory charges.

According to the allottees, in 2026 the FCT Minister, FCDA, the Director of Development Control (AMMC) and certain FCDA directors purported to cancel or re-allocate the plots without the formal notice of revocation required by the Land Use Act, without any overriding public interest and without compensation. This, they say, opened the door for operators of NAF Bomo Estate Promo (also known as NAF Bomo Hilltop Estate), including alleged Air Force personnel, to enter the land, erect structures, mount signboards, excavate, market and attempt to sell portions of the plots.

The situation has now worsened. A company called Naval Building and Construction Limited, linked to the Nigerian Navy, has also entered the land and is allegedly participating in the same acts of trespass. The allottees say these activities continue openly despite formal demands that the authorities recognise their titles and restore quiet possession.

They argue the actions violate the Land Use Act and Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect citizens against compulsory acquisition of private property without adequate notice and compensation. The landowners report inconvenience, emotional distress, loss of development opportunities and inability to develop their plots.

A motion for interlocutory injunction is pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in Suit No. M/3797/2026. The substantive case is Suit No. FCT/CV/4139/2026. The claimants seek declarations that their allocations remain valid, that any purported revocation is null and void, perpetual injunctions, recognition of their titles, cancellation of any grants to the alleged trespassers, and damages of ₦700 million plus costs.

International human rights lawyer Samuel Ihensekhien Junior has been briefed to lead the legal representation. Counsel on record is Pathlegal and Co. of Suite 5, Highbury Plaza, Kubwa. The representative parties named in the allottees’ materials are John Zira, Salisu Mohammed, Alfa Global Auto Centre Limited and Ismailia Drikrullah.

In their press statement the allottees called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, order a thorough investigation into the roles of the FCT Minister, FCDA, AMMC Development Control, implicated directors, Air Force officers, Naval Building and Construction Limited and the operators of NAF Bomo Estate, and ensure the rule of law is upheld. They say the Federal Government must act to protect the proprietary rights of law-abiding citizens.

As of Monday it was not confirmed whether the FCT Minister has been formally briefed on the suit. Neither the Minister’s office, FCDA, AMMC, the Nigerian Air Force nor the Nigerian Navy has issued a public response to the specific allegations. Land administration in the FCT is governed by the Land Use Act and the FCT Act. Any claim that the allocations were defective, that public interest justified revocation, or that the activities of NAF Bomo Estate Promo and Naval Building and Construction Limited are lawful will be tested in court.

The matter remains before the High Court. The allottees insist their titles are valid and their possession was peaceful. The authorities and the military-linked companies have yet to answer the claims publicly. The landowners say justice delayed is justice denied, and the Federal Government must act.