Adeyanju Faults Wike Over Planned Demolition Of Amnesty Office
Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has condemned the reported plan by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration to demolish structures around Amnesty International Nigeria’s national office in Maitama, Abuja, and convert a green area into a private estate.
Adeyanju questioned the rationale behind the proposed development, particularly the reported conversion of a public utility corridor designed to address flooding risks in the highbrow Maitama district into a private estate.
He called on FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and relevant authorities to urgently explain the circumstances surrounding the allocation of Plot 5334 to Hammari Energy Limited, amid concerns over the corridor’s drainage function, the safety of neighbouring properties and ongoing dispute resolution processes.
The lawyer warned that any development that compromises critical public infrastructure or exposes residents to flooding risks must be subjected to thorough scrutiny before implementation.
According to him, the reported plan to demolish structures along the corridor raises fundamental questions about the basis for the land allocation and whether adequate technical assessments were conducted to determine the environmental and safety implications of the proposed project.
Adeyanju stressed that public infrastructure must not be sacrificed for private development, especially where such infrastructure serves an essential purpose in protecting lives, properties and the environment.
He therefore urged Wike and the FCT Administration to immediately suspend the proposed demolitions pending an independent technical assessment and a transparent review of the land allocation.
He also called for all outstanding concerns surrounding the corridor, including its drainage function and the implications of the proposed development for neighbouring properties, to be resolved before any demolition or construction proceeds.
Adeyanju maintained that the safety of residents and the protection of public infrastructure must take precedence over development decisions that have not adequately addressed these concerns.
The controversy adds to growing concerns over the management of public land and the need for transparency and accountability in urban development within the Federal Capital Territory.
Deji Adeyanju, Esq., urged the FCT authorities to provide clear answers and ensure that due process, public safety and the public interest guide any decision concerning the disputed corridor.
