Company Sues FCT Minister Wike Over Abuja Property Dispute

Nextdora Nigeria Limited has filed a lawsuit at the Abuja High Court seeking to restrain the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and others from selling its property located at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja.

In the suit marked CV/5517/24 and filed on December 16, the company also demanded N500 million in damages for alleged trespassing. The defendants listed include Eric Anyamene Nnamdi, Bilikisu Mallam, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

Nextdora Nigeria Ltd., through its lawyer Reuben Atabo, sought seven reliefs, including a declaration affirming its ownership and right to peaceful use of the 2.46-hectare plot, which is covered by a Right of Occupancy with File No. MISC128232. The property development firm stated that it had followed due process in acquiring and developing the land, including applying for allocation, paying the required fees, and receiving approvals from the Department of Development Control.

According to the company, the land was allocated to it after careful consideration of its application, and it subsequently received approval for development on January 9, 2023, under file number FCDA/DC BP RSD PHS 1/22046. To facilitate the development, Nextdora said it paid N3,729,766.10 as building fees, as stipulated by the FCDA in a letter dated December 15, 2022. The company stated that it had commenced fencing the property and constructing an access road in line with the approved timeline.

However, Nextdora alleged that on December 10, Eric Nnamdi and Bilikisu Mallam, who also claimed ownership of the property, forcibly entered the site with armed policemen and disrupted ongoing construction work. In response, the company wrote to the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), requesting a caveat to be placed on the property file to prevent further disputes.