50+ ALLOTTEES SUE FCTA, FCDA OVER ALLEGED MILITARY-LINKED LAND GRAB

…DEMAND ₦700M DAMAGES

More than 50 allottees of Mpape II Layout in Abuja have dragged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and other officials before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, accusing them of unlawfully cancelling their land allocations and allowing military-linked developers to encroach on their properties.The claimants, led by John Zira in a representative capacity, insist that their plots were lawfully allocated to them and that they possess relevant allocation documents, technical data plans, receipts, regularisation records and official confirmation that the plots fall within the approved layout.According to the landowners, they have maintained peaceful possession of their properties and fulfilled the applicable statutory obligations.

However, they allege that in 2026, the FCT Minister, FCDA, the Director of Development Control of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) and certain officials purportedly cancelled or reallocated their plots without the formal revocation notices required by law, adequate justification or compensation.The claimants further allege that the disputed actions paved the way for operators of NAF Bomo Estate Promo, also known as NAF Bomo Hilltop Estate, to enter the properties, erect structures, install signboards, excavate portions of the land and market plots for sale.

They have also accused Naval Building and Construction Limited, a company they link to the Nigerian Navy, of entering the disputed area and allegedly participating in the acts of trespass.The allottees maintain that these activities have continued despite formal demands for the recognition of their allocations and restoration of peaceful possession.

LANDOWNERS CITE CONSTITUTION, LAND USE ACT

The claimants contend that the alleged actions violate the Land Use Act and Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which provides protections relating to compulsory acquisition of property and compensation.They say the dispute has caused them emotional distress, financial losses, disruption of development plans and the inability to utilise their properties.The matter is before the High Court of the FCT in Suit No. FCT/CV/4139/2026, while a motion for interlocutory injunction is reportedly pending in Suit No. M/3797/2026.

Among their demands are declarations affirming the validity of their allocations, nullification of any purported revocations, recognition of their titles, cancellation of any conflicting grants to third parties, perpetual injunctions against further interference and ₦700 million in damages, in addition to legal costs.International human rights lawyer Samuel Ihensekhien Junior has reportedly been briefed to lead the legal representation, with Pathlegal and Co., Kubwa, listed as counsel on record.

ALLOTTEES APPEAL TO TINUBU FOR INTERVENTION

In a press statement, the landowners appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and order a comprehensive investigation into the alleged roles of the FCT Minister, FCDA, AMMC Development Control officials, implicated directors, Air Force personnel, Naval Building and Construction Limited and the operators of NAF Bomo Estate.They urged the Federal Government to ensure that the rule of law prevails and that the property rights of citizens are protected.As of Monday, it was not confirmed whether the FCT Minister had been formally briefed on the suit. The offices of the minister, FCDA and AMMC, as well as the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy, had not publicly responded to the specific allegations.The legality of the allocations, the circumstances surrounding any purported revocation and the conduct of the companies accused of trespass remain matters for determination by the court.

The defendants and the military-linked entities have yet to publicly answer the allegations outlined by the claimants.The allottees maintain that their allocations remain valid and are calling for urgent intervention, insisting that their property rights must not be undermined by alleged unlawful actions.The case remains before the court, where the competing claims are expected to be tested in accordance with the law.

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