FCT Minister Wike: Ukachukwu’s Allocated Land Lacked Ministerial Approval

The controversy surrounding the demolition of 214 hectares of land in the Asokoro district of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has taken a new turn as the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, refutes allegations leveled against him by Nicholas Ukachukwu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the SNECOU Group Limited.

Ukachukwu had accused Wike of ordering the demolition without proper legal authorization, despite two pending court orders restraining him and the FCT administration from interfering with the property. Speaking out against the demolition, Ukachukwu called upon President Bola Tinubu to intervene, citing the significant investment made in the property.

Attributing the demolition to ethnic bias, Ukachukwu claimed that the property was targeted because of its ownership by an Igbo man, rather than any violation of the law.

In response, Wike, during a press briefing, dismissed Ukachukwu’s claims, stating that the land allocated to him lacked approval from any minister, including his predecessor. Highlighting rampant land-grabbing in Abuja, Wike attributed the issue to compromised officials within the land department of the FCT ministry.

Wike emphasized his commitment to addressing the issue of land fraud, citing previous instances where companies presented conflicting claims over land ownership. He revealed that despite agreements to halt any activity on the disputed land until a final decision was reached, Ukachukwu and others proceeded to sell parcels of the land illegally.

The minister asserted his determination to combat criminal activities related to land allocation and emphasized the need for a transparent and lawful process in dealing with such matters.