Amnesty International Nigeria has called for an immediate halt to planned demolition work on a disputed parcel of land in Maitama, Abuja, warning that the exercise could endanger nearby buildings and interfere with essential drainage facilities.
The organisation wants FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to resolve questions surrounding Plot 5334 in Cadastral Zone A06 before allowing further action at the site.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Executive Director Isa Sanusi said the proposed development required closer scrutiny because of the land’s reported use as a passage for underground drainage infrastructure. He warned that proceeding without settling the outstanding concerns could have serious consequences for surrounding properties and public facilities.
“The corridor, designated as Plot 5334, reportedly accommodates underground stormwater and sewage drainage infrastructure constructed by Julius Berger Plc between 2012 and 2014 to address flooding risks in the area.
“Its development for private construction raises serious concerns about public safety, environmental protection, drainage infrastructure and the integrity of Abuja’s Master Plan,” he said.
According to the organisation, the dispute has yet to be fully resolved, with legal proceedings challenging the proposed residential development still underway. It added that efforts to settle the matter through the FCT Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee were nearing their conclusion.
Amnesty International Nigeria also said information available to it indicated that the FCDA had conducted an inspection and identified the location as land designated for infrastructure.
The group argued that the pending legal process, ongoing settlement discussions and questions about the site’s approved purpose should be addressed before any demolition takes place.
Despite these unresolved matters, Sanusi said the Director of Development Control issued a notice on October 9, 2026, concerning the removal of structures protecting the boundaries of the corridor.
“Amnesty International Nigeria is concerned that proceeding with demolition before the relevant issues have been properly examined could undermine due process, prejudice ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute and expose neighbouring properties and essential infrastructure to avoidable risks,” he said.
The organisation said the consequences could extend beyond the disputed land, potentially affecting its national office, surrounding residential buildings and nearby national security facilities.
It explained that interference with the drainage channel could restrict the passage of stormwater, heighten the likelihood of flooding and expose residents and other properties to environmental dangers.
Sanusi disclosed that the organisation had raised the matter with Wike and the FCDA in May 2026, drawing attention to the possibility that construction on the site could affect the stability of its office building and nearby homes.
He further noted that the drainage route serves a wider area, meaning that any obstruction could affect water management across the district rather than only the immediate development site.
To address these concerns, Amnesty International Nigeria proposed an independent technical investigation into the land. It said the exercise should establish the capacity of the drainage system, assess the effects of construction and identify potential dangers to surrounding buildings and public infrastructure.
The organisation also called for the release of documents explaining how the land was allocated, the approvals granted for development, the technical findings available to the authorities and the legal provisions relied upon to permit private construction on land reportedly earmarked for public infrastructure.
“The authorities must not allow demolition to proceed in circumstances where serious questions about the land’s designation, the safety implications of the proposed development and the applicable legal processes remain unresolved,” Sanusi said.
He added, “A temporary suspension would allow these issues to be addressed without risking irreversible damage to public infrastructure, neighbouring properties or the environment.”
The organisation urged the FCT administration to ensure that all decisions follow the law, that parties involved in the dispute can pursue legal remedies and that public infrastructure is protected throughout the process.
“Amnesty International Nigeria urges the FCT Minister to ensure that the relevant authorities act lawfully, transparently and in the public interest,” Sanusi said.
“The protection of Abuja’s critical infrastructure, public safety and the environment must take precedence over private development interests where these conflict,” he added.
