A landmark ruling from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has found the demolition of homes in the Kpaduma community unlawful, ordering the FCT Administration (FCTA) to pay ₦200 million in damages and provide new housing for affected residents.
Justice Halilu Mu’azu, delivering the judgment on Monday in Maitama, declared that the demolition exercise carried out on September 5, 2024, was a breach of the constitutional rights of the affected citizens. He described the government’s actions as both “unauthorised and inhumane.”
The court also issued a permanent order restraining the FCTA from initiating any future demolition in the community without prior approval from a competent court or as mandated by law.
In addition to financial compensation, the judge directed the FCTA to provide relocation support to 20 individuals whose homes were directly affected, citing the emotional and economic trauma caused by the sudden evictions.
Legal representative for the community, Sylvester Ogbelu, praised the court’s decision as a reaffirmation of justice for vulnerable Nigerians. “This ruling restores confidence in the legal system. It’s a message that even the marginalised have rights that must be respected,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of proper procedures in urban development, stating, “We support progress, but not at the expense of people’s homes and dignity. Development must follow due process.”
The community’s secretary, Simon Baba-Yerimah, who was among those displaced, expressed relief and gratitude. “Our families have lived on that land for generations. Watching our homes reduced to rubble without fair warning was devastating. Today, justice has spoken,” he said.
He called on the authorities to honour the court’s directives promptly, urging the FCTA to provide alternative accommodation within their ancestral lands, as stipulated by the court.
“This ruling is not just a win for Kpaduma,” he added, “it’s a reminder that government actions must be accountable to the people they serve.”
Residents say they are also considering further legal action to claim additional damages caused by the unlawful demolition.
