In a bold act of defiance against the judiciary, officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), backed by a heavy security contingent, have demolished multi-million naira structures within Abuja's high-end River Park Estate. This action was carried out on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in direct violation of a subsisting court order.
Court Injunction Ignored
The demolition exercise flagrantly disregarded an injunctive order granted by Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Jikwoyi-Kurudu. The order, issued on September 17, 2025, specifically restrained FCDA officials from entering the estate or taking any adverse action. This was pending the hearing and determination of a substantive suit filed by two property developers: Jonahcapital Nigeria Ltd and Houses For Africa Nigeria Ltd.
The plaintiffs had sued the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the FCDA over a contentious ownership dispute concerning the estate. Following an exparte motion (M/11417/2025) moved by Anthony Malik (SAN), the court had ordered that the grant of relief "shall operate as a stay of action" concerning the implementation of a Ministerial Committee's report on the estate.
The Demolition Operation
Despite this clear judicial directive, bulldozers from the Development Control department, escorted by personnel from the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, and other agencies, stormed the estate. They proceeded to pull down buildings to their foundation levels. Eyewitnesses reported that Malik Amzat, identified as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the FCT Minister, conducted the demolition team around the estate, pointing out structures belonging to the Nigerian claimants for destruction.
This action has raised serious concerns about the rule of law, especially given the Inspector General of Police's directive for the police to stop interfering in land matters. Onlookers were dismayed to see police officers actively aiding the demolition.
Ownership Feud and Corporate Confirmation
The core of the conflict is a protracted ownership feud. Residents expressed bewilderment as to why the FCT Minister is siding with Ghanaian claimants when the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has reportedly updated its status report. The CAC is said to have removed alleged forged documents from its database and confirmed the legitimate Nigerian directors and owners of Jonahcapital and Houses For Africa Nigeria Ltd.
"Why has the FCT Minister, who is supposed to be neutral, now taken sides with the Ghanaians to destroy an estate owned by Nigerians?" questioned a resident, Mallam Musa.
Targeting a Critical Medical Facility
At the time of the incident, the demolition team moved to Cluster One of the estate, where the multi-billion naira Margaret Lawrence University Teaching Hospital Cancer Centre is located. This facility, previously demolished months ago, was under reconstruction. Last Friday, university security staff and residents had prevented the team from accessing the centre.
Mrs. Bisi, a resident and Council Member of Margaret Lawrence University, revealed that they had served the Development Control department with a warning letter on December 9, 2025, notifying them of the court order and the true directorship of the companies. This was ignored.
Prof. Samuel Asala, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Margaret Lawrence University, expressed profound dismay. He stated that demolishing a teaching hospital where Nigerian medical students are trained sets back medical education and healthcare for the entire nation. He confirmed the FCDA team arrived after 6 pm without any prior notification to the university.
Background of Criminal Charges
The dispute reached a climax in June 2025 when the Nigerian Police preferred a 26-count charge against a Nigerian lawyer, Abu Arome, three Ghanaians—Sam Jonah (KBE), Kojo Ansah, Victor Quainoo—and a company, Mobus Property Nigeria Ltd (Charge No: CR/402/2025). The case file was later transferred to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation for review.
While this review was ongoing, the FCT Minister established a Ministerial Committee. This committee reportedly set aside the police investigation and forensic reports that formed the basis of the criminal charges and instead fronted the Ghanaians as the estate's owners, leading to the current crisis.
The situation remains tense as residents and property owners grapple with the destruction and the apparent disregard for legal processes by a key government agency.
