Amnesty International Asks Wike To Stop Maitama Demolition And Review Plot 5334 Allocation
Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to suspend all planned demolition activities in a green area located in Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, Abuja.
The organization said the area, known as Plot 5334, is a utility corridor that houses underground stormwater and sewage drainage infrastructure built by Julius Berger Plc between 2012 and 2014 to control flooding in Maitama.
Amnesty International expressed concern over the alleged allocation of the plot to a private developer for private residential construction, describing it as a threat to public safety, environmental protection and the Abuja Master Plan.
According to the organization, the concerns have been raised several times through administrative petitions. It added that there is an ongoing court case seeking an interlocutory injunction to stop private development on Plot 5334 and protect adjacent properties until the substantive suit is decided.
The group also disclosed that an alternative dispute resolution process before the FCT ADR Committee is nearing completion. It noted that the Federal Capital Development Authority has inspected the site and confirmed that it is reserved for an infrastructure corridor.
Amnesty International said despite the ongoing legal and administrative processes, the Director of Development Control issued a demolition notice dated October 9, 2026, targeting protective boundary structures along the corridor.
The organization warned that proceeding with demolition before resolving the legal and technical issues could undermine due process and expose neighbouring properties and public infrastructure to avoidable risks.
It stated that the proposed development poses serious concerns for neighbouring properties, including its own National Office in Abuja, other residential buildings and nearby national security facilities.
On environmental impact, Amnesty International said any interference with the drainage infrastructure could obstruct stormwater flow, increase flood risk and expose surrounding communities to environmental hazards.
It recalled that in May 2026, it wrote to Wike and the FCDA warning that construction on the corridor could threaten the structural stability of its building and expose the area to severe flooding.
The organization called for an independent technical assessment of the corridor to evaluate its drainage capacity, the consequences of construction on the site and the risks to neighbouring properties and public infrastructure.
Amnesty International therefore urged the FCT Minister and the FCDA to immediately suspend all planned demolition activities on the corridor pending a legal and technical review, including the ongoing litigation and alternative dispute resolution process.
It also called for a review of the allocation of Plot 5334 and disclosure of allocation records, planning approvals, technical assessments and the legal basis for allowing private development on land reportedly reserved for public infrastructure.
The organization further urged the authorities to respect due process and the rule of law, ensure access to justice for all affected parties and protect essential public infrastructure.
Amnesty International added that authorities must not allow demolition to proceed while serious questions about the land designation, safety implications and legal processes remain unresolved.
