……Evangelist says police ordered a midnight evacuation over an impending bandit attack, leaving an orphanage, schools, hospital and rehabilitation centre deserted.

Evangelist Isaac Omolehin, founder of Word Assembly Ministries in Ilorin, Kwara State, says he and more than 100 vulnerable residents of his camp have remained displaced since a police-directed evacuation in May 2026.

Omolehin said police officers arrived at the facility around midnight on May 30 into May 31 and ordered everyone to leave immediately after warning that kidnappers were reportedly on their way to attack the camp.

According to him, he was not at the camp when the evacuation took place.

“The police came to my camp in the middle of the night and asked everybody to run because kidnappers were coming to attack me,” he said.

He added that the facility was completely deserted following the warning and that the suspected attackers later arrived but found nobody there. These claims are attributed to Omolehin and have not been independently established in the reports reviewed. 

Camp Operations Shut Down

The evacuation disrupted several services that had operated from the camp, according to Omolehin.

The facility housed orphaned children and included a primary school, secondary school, hospital, old people’s home and rehabilitation centre for women with mental health challenges rescued from the streets and their children.

Omolehin said the security situation forced staff, patients and residents to leave, effectively shutting down the camp’s operations.

“Bandits chased us out of that place. The school cannot open, the hospital is not functioning, and the patients and nurses all ran for their lives,” he said.

He said more than 100 residents are now scattered across different locations because authorities have not declared the area safe for them to return.

The prolonged displacement has also affected the children’s education, with Omolehin saying the school had been unable to resume operations despite the return of the academic session.

Appeals For Clearance

Omolehin said he repeatedly contacted the police seeking clarification on whether the camp was safe enough for the residents to return.

According to him, the requests have not received a response.

“We wrote to the police because they were the ones who asked us to leave. We asked if it was safe for us to return because schools had resumed and we have over a hundred children that need to go to school. There has been no response,” he said.

He also said reports were submitted to the Department of State Services and the Kwara State Ministry of Social Welfare, which oversees orphanages and rehabilitation centres.

He said those agencies had also not provided the clearance required for the residents to return.

The reports reviewed do not include a response from the police, DSS or Kwara State Ministry of Social Welfare addressing Omolehin’s claims. 

Omolehin Says He Is Also Displaced

The evangelist said the security situation has affected his own family, forcing him to avoid returning to his home and limit his movements.

“I have a house I can’t enter. I have a car I can’t ride. I have to hide myself from the public,” he said.

He said he has been moving between different locations with his wife and children since the evacuation.

The situation was compounded by a subsequent attack on his village in Kogi State, which Omolehin said occurred three days after the Kwara incident.

He alleged that some people were killed during the Kogi attack.

According to him, the camp itself was not destroyed by the suspected kidnappers. However, he said thieves later entered the deserted facility and removed items including refrigerators, fans and mattresses.

Omolehin distinguished the alleged looters from the kidnappers, saying the former were responsible for taking property while the latter had allegedly targeted people.

Appeal To Government

Omolehin is now calling on the Federal Government and Kwara State Government to strengthen security around the camp and provide assurances that would allow the displaced residents to return.

He said the appeal is particularly urgent because some of the orphaned children at the facility were reportedly referred there by government authorities.

“I want to appeal to the government to improve security so that I can return to the camp with my family and all the people I look after,” he said.

“Some of the children in the orphanage were brought to us by the government.”

Omolehin’s case comes amid his broader public advocacy on issues affecting the Nigerian Christian community and vulnerable people. His official ministry website identifies him as the founder and president of Word Assembly Ministries in Ilorin. 

Recent reporting has also documented Omolehin’s humanitarian activities, including support for displaced people in Borno State through assistance with accommodation and water infrastructure. 

For now, the Kwara camp remains deserted according to Omolehin, while more than 100 residents remain dispersed and await security assurances that would allow them to return.

The police, DSS and relevant Kwara State authorities had not publicly responded to the specific claims in the report reviewed as of publication.

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Police detain building owner as investigation begins into fatal reservoir collapse in Awgu community.

Five members of the same family have died after a concrete water reservoir collapsed onto their home in Umuike-Aja Village, Nenwenta Community, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The Enugu State Police Command said the incident occurred at about 5:45 a.m. on September 18, 2026, when the reservoir, attached to an uncompleted building, collapsed onto the adjoining bungalow occupied by the family.

The victims were identified as Raphael Onwu, his wife, his mother and two children. The police said all five family members died in the incident. Recent reports based on the police statement also identify the owner of the building on which the reservoir was constructed as Nkwo Onyedikachi Geoffrey. 

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

According to the police, officers from the Awgu Division mobilised to the scene after receiving information about the incident.

They were joined by personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and members of the community in the rescue operation.

Nine-Year-Old Boy Rescued

During the rescue operation, a nine-year-old boy was found alive and taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

The police said the five other victims were recovered and taken to a hospital, where they were confirmed dead. Their remains were subsequently deposited at a mortuary pending preservation and autopsy. 

The incident has prompted police action against the owner of the building where the reservoir was constructed.

Police spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said Nkwo Onyedikachi Geoffrey had been detained in connection with the incident as investigators work to establish the circumstances that led to the collapse.

The detention does not by itself establish criminal responsibility, as the police investigation is still ongoing.

Police Begin Investigation

The police command said the investigation would determine the circumstances surrounding the construction and collapse of the reservoir.

The Commissioner of Police also expressed condolences to the bereaved family and the wider community over the deaths.

He assured residents that appropriate action would follow the outcome of the investigation.

The command further urged members of the public to avoid unsafe construction practices and comply with approved building and safety standards.

It also advised property owners to engage qualified professionals when constructing structures, particularly facilities capable of carrying substantial loads.

The fatal collapse has drawn attention to the safety of structures attached to residential and unfinished buildings, particularly where construction standards and structural integrity may be involved.

For now, the Enugu State Police Command has not announced the findings of its investigation or disclosed whether any charges have been filed against the detained building owner.

Further action is expected after investigators complete their assessment of the circumstances surrounding the September 18 collapse. 

The post Concrete Water Reservoir Collapses In Enugu, Kills Five Family Members appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Court of Appeal rejects challenges to the housing levy but raises concerns about whether the programme adequately reaches Kenya’s poorest citizens.

Kenya’s Court of Appeal has upheld the Affordable Housing Act and the mandatory housing levy, giving President William Ruto’s affordable housing programme a major legal boost.

A five-judge bench dismissed appeals challenging the constitutionality of the legislation and rejected requests for refunds of housing levy payments already collected from workers and employers.

The appeals followed an earlier High Court decision that upheld the Affordable Housing Act.

The case involved more than 40 petitions challenging different aspects of the law, including the housing levy, public participation, taxation, devolution and the role of the Kenya Revenue Authority in collecting the levy.

Court Upholds Constitutional Basis

The appellate court found that the Affordable Housing Act was connected to the constitutional right to accessible and adequate housing.

The judges relied particularly on Articles 21 and 43 of Kenya’s Constitution, which require the State to take legislative, policy and other measures towards progressively realising social and economic rights.

Article 43 includes the right of every person to accessible and adequate housing and reasonable standards of sanitation.

The court therefore rejected the argument that the legislation should be declared unconstitutional simply because some taxpayers considered the levy burdensome or disagreed with the government’s policy approach.

The judges held that taxation used to enable the State to meet its constitutional obligations cannot automatically be regarded as unconstitutional.

Employees And Employers Pay 1.5% Each

The housing levy requires employees and employers to contribute 1.5 per cent each based on an employee’s gross monthly salary.

The levy has been one of the most contested elements of Ruto’s affordable housing programme.

Among those who challenged it was Nakuru-based surgeon Dr Magare Gikenyi, who argued that the scheme compelled employed Kenyans to finance housing projects from which they might never personally benefit.

The appellants also challenged the levy on grounds including alleged discrimination against salaried workers and what they described as unlawful deprivation of property.

The Court of Appeal rejected those arguments.

The judges found that the differentiation involved in collecting the levy did not amount to unfair discrimination and could fall within affirmative action contemplated under Article 27(6) of the Constitution.

Court Rejects Devolution Challenge

Another major issue before the court was whether the national government had improperly taken over housing responsibilities belonging to county governments.

The appellants argued that housing is a devolved function and that Parliament had transferred county responsibilities to the national government through the Affordable Housing Act.

The appellate court rejected that interpretation.

Instead, the judges held that housing is a shared function requiring cooperation between Kenya’s national and county governments.

The court said the legislation provides a framework for combining national and county resources to address the country’s housing needs.

The ruling therefore preserves the Act’s framework for cooperation between the two levels of government.

Court Raises Concern Over Poor Kenyans

Although the court upheld the legislation, the judges raised concerns about the way the affordable housing programme is structured.

The bench observed that the programme appeared to focus significantly on people who have the financial capacity to purchase or develop homes.

The court noted that applicants for housing units are required to provide proof of a deposit, which could exclude some of the poorest Kenyans from benefiting from the programme.

The judges warned that safeguards would be necessary to ensure the programme reaches the people for whom the constitutional right to housing is intended.

The court also warned against the possibility of political interests influencing the distribution of affordable housing benefits.

However, the judges concluded that these concerns did not make the Affordable Housing Act unconstitutional.

They held that the Act represented one of the measures available to the State to progressively realise the constitutional right to housing, even if the legislation did not fully satisfy every constitutional expectation.

Public Land Provisions Also Upheld

The appellants also challenged provisions concerning the use of public land for affordable housing projects.

The court declined to invalidate the legislation on the basis of possible future violations.

The judges stressed that the National Land Commission retains its constitutional role in the allocation of public land.

They said any allocation of public land without the approval of the National Land Commission would be unlawful.

The court therefore distinguished between the legality of the legislation itself and the possibility that individual government actions could later violate constitutional or statutory requirements.

Government Welcomes Legal Backing

The Kenyan government had urged the Court of Appeal to uphold the Affordable Housing Act.

Through the National Housing Corporation, the government argued that the constitutional right to housing requires coordinated action between national and county governments.

The appellate ruling now leaves the government’s legal framework for collecting the housing levy and implementing the programme intact.

The decision also follows continued government investment in affordable housing projects across Kenya.

Recent government figures cited by Kenya’s Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo indicated that approximately 10,000 affordable housing units had been completed, with about 8,000 already occupied, while the government was considering additional financing mechanisms for the programme. 

At the same time, the government has been working to regularise land arrangements involving some affordable housing projects. The Standard reported on September 24 that authorities had begun engaging original landowners, including counties and national institutions, to address ownership issues affecting project sites. 

What The Ruling Means

The Court of Appeal’s decision means the Affordable Housing Act and the housing levy remain legally operative following the challenges considered by the appellate court.

The ruling does not, however, remove the concerns identified by the judges about access to the programme, particularly for Kenyans with limited financial resources.

It also does not mean that every future implementation decision under the Act would automatically be lawful. The court specifically maintained the constitutional role of the National Land Commission in public-land allocation.

The judgment therefore provides legal backing for the overall housing framework while leaving implementation questions open to scrutiny.

For the Ruto administration, the decision preserves one of its major policy programmes and the revenue mechanism supporting it.

For opponents of the levy, the ruling represents a setback to efforts to have the deductions declared unconstitutional and recover funds already collected.

The court’s concerns over affordability and access also place continued attention on whether the programme can reach lower-income households while complying with Kenya’s constitutional obligation to progressively realise the right to accessible and adequate housing.

The post Kenya Court Upholds Ruto’s Affordable Housing Act And Levy appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Traders and workers at the popular Yahuza Suya outlet near the National Mosque in Abuja are counting their losses after the demolition of the premises on Wednesday.

The demolition affected the Yahuza Suya outlet as well as other structures reportedly operating around the area, including River Plate and Hadiza Balangu.

Some businesses in the vicinity, including IBRO Fish, were reportedly not affected by the exercise.

The demolition was carried out by the enforcement team of the Federal Capital Territory Development Control Department, according to a sector monitor of the agency, Chinedu Okoro. 

Traders Dispute Notice Claim

Affected traders said the demolition came without adequate warning.

Several occupants alleged that enforcement officials arrived at the premises in the early hours with heavy machinery and security personnel before commencing the exercise.

They claimed they were given only about five minutes to remove their belongings.

Gambo Musa, one of the affected traders, said the development caught the occupants by surprise.

According to Musa, the traders were unable to remove several items, including refrigerators, yoghurt and other fresh food products, before the structures were pulled down.

He also alleged that security personnel used tear gas during the exercise.

The allegation has not been independently established, and no official account cited in the report confirmed the use of tear gas.

Musa appealed to the authorities to consider the effect of the demolition on workers and their families.

He said the business provided employment for more than 100 people.

Workers Say They Were Not Given Enough Time

Another worker, Umar Bello, an assistant accountant with the company, said the officials did not adequately explain the reason for the demolition to those at the premises.

Bello said the occupants would have complied with an evacuation directive if they had been given sufficient time.

“It’s better to tell me three days, or two days, or one day,” he said.

Aliyu Idris, another worker, similarly alleged that Development Control officials arrived with enforcement personnel and a bulldozer before the demolition.

He said workers at the location were not aware of any notice preceding the exercise.

Idris appealed to the government to consider the impact of the demolition on workers and small businesses operating around the premises.

Association Chairman Raises Concern

The chairman of the Yahuza Chicken Sellers Association of Nigeria, Shittu Danladi, described the demolition as a major setback for traders operating under the Yahuza brand.

Danladi said he had been involved in the suya business in Abuja for decades.

He estimated that the affected branch had more than 150 workers, apart from people operating ancillary businesses around the premises.

Those businesses included food sellers and point-of-sale operators, according to Danladi.

He urged authorities to provide businesses with adequate notice before demolition exercises.

Danladi said traders were prepared to comply with government directives if they were properly informed and given sufficient time to evacuate.

Foreign Business Operator Appeals For Consideration

Ayisa Natalia, a Niger Republic national who operated a business at the premises, also expressed concern over the demolition.

Natalia said she had lived in Nigeria for about 14 years and had operated her business at the location for several years.

She said she was informed at about 8am that the premises was being demolished and subsequently rushed to the location.

According to her, the occupants had little time to remove their belongings.

Natalia appealed to the authorities to consider the livelihoods of the people who depended on businesses operating at the site.

FCT Gives Different Account

The FCT Development Control Department provided a different account of the circumstances surrounding the demolition.

Chinedu Okoro, a Sector Monitor of the department, confirmed that the agency’s enforcement team carried out the exercise.

Okoro said the demolished site was an allocated residential plot that had been converted for commercial use.

He also disputed the traders’ claim that they received only a few minutes’ notice.

According to the official, the occupants had been given more than six months to vacate the site.

“It is a residential plot used for commercial activities that the owner decided to take possession of. They were compensated and over six months’ notice was given to them before the exercise commenced,” Okoro said. 

The official explanation provides a significant contrast with the account given by the affected traders, who said they were not presented with adequate written notice immediately before the demolition.

The report does not independently establish the precise date or form of the alleged six-month notice, nor does it provide documentation of the compensation referenced by the FCT official.

Dispute Centres On Land Use And Notice

The demolition therefore appears to centre on two separate issues: the approved use of the property and the amount of notice given to occupants before enforcement.

The FCT official maintains that the site was a residential allocation being used for commercial activities and that the occupants had been compensated and given more than six months to leave.

The affected traders, meanwhile, said they were not adequately informed before the demolition and complained about the limited time they had to remove their belongings.

The competing accounts have not been resolved by an independent finding in the information available for this report.

The incident has also raised concerns among affected workers about the immediate impact on their livelihoods.

For the traders, the demolition means the loss of a business location and, according to their representatives, disruption to the income of workers and ancillary operators who depended on the premises.

For the FCT authorities, the exercise forms part of enforcement of land-use regulations involving a residential plot that was allegedly being used for commercial purposes.

As of the latest account, the FCT Development Control Department had confirmed responsibility for the demolition, while the affected traders continued to appeal for clarification and consideration of their livelihoods.

The competing claims over notice and compensation remain central to the dispute.

The post Yahuza Suya Outlet Demolished In Abuja As Traders Count Losses appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a planned 20-minute interruption of electricity supply in parts of Suleja and surrounding communities in Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

The company said the temporary interruption is required to facilitate annual preventive maintenance on the Gwarinpa–Suleja 132/33kV Line 2 bay switchgear and associated equipment.

According to TCN, the maintenance exercise is scheduled to take place between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

However, consumers in the affected areas are expected to experience an interruption lasting approximately 20 minutes rather than a power outage throughout the entire maintenance window.

Areas To Experience Interruption

TCN said customers supplied by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in the following areas will be affected:

• Suleja Township
• FCT College of Education
• Field Base
• Zuba
• Sabon Wuse
• Surrounding areas

The company said the interruption is necessary to allow electricity load to be transferred safely from Gwarinpa–Suleja Line 2 to Kubwa–Suleja Line 1.

This transfer will enable maintenance work to proceed without requiring a prolonged interruption of electricity supply to customers.

Why TCN Is Carrying Out The Maintenance

TCN said the exercise forms part of its annual preventive maintenance programme.

Preventive maintenance involves scheduled inspection and servicing of transmission infrastructure to help identify potential equipment problems and maintain the reliability of the national transmission network.

In this case, the work involves the Line 2 bay switchgear and associated equipment serving the Gwarinpa–Suleja transmission corridor.

TCN said temporarily interrupting supply during the load-transfer process is necessary to ensure that the maintenance is carried out safely and efficiently.

TCN Explains Load Transfer

The transmission company explained that the planned interruption will allow it to move the electricity load from Gwarinpa–Suleja Line 2 to Kubwa–Suleja Line 1.

The arrangement is intended to prevent consumers from experiencing a longer outage while engineers work on the equipment.

TCN said the temporary interruption would therefore be limited to approximately 20 minutes for customers in the identified locations.

The company did not announce a wider shutdown affecting all customers connected to the Suleja transmission network.

Maintenance Window Is 1pm To 4pm

Although the maintenance activity is scheduled between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., TCN said the affected customers would experience only a 20-minute interruption.

The distinction is important for electricity consumers planning activities during the period.

The three-hour window represents the period allocated for the maintenance operation, while the announced interruption refers specifically to the temporary loss of supply required to facilitate the load transfer.

TCN urged affected customers to note the scheduled interruption and apologised for the inconvenience.

Part Of Annual Preventive Programme

The company described the work as part of its regular preventive maintenance activities aimed at keeping transmission infrastructure reliable.

The national transmission network requires periodic maintenance of substations, transmission lines, switchgear and other associated equipment.

Such scheduled exercises are designed to allow maintenance work to take place under controlled conditions rather than waiting for equipment faults to cause unplanned outages.

For consumers in Suleja Township, Zuba, Sabon Wuse, FCT College of Education, Field Base and nearby communities, the immediate effect will be the temporary interruption announced for Saturday.

TCN said the work is expected to be carried out within the stated maintenance window and that the load-transfer arrangement is intended to prevent a prolonged outage.

The company also apologised to electricity consumers in the affected locations for any inconvenience caused by the exercise.

The post TCN Announces 20-Minute Power Interruption In Suleja, Environs appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

FCT Minister links ongoing road projects to the administration’s performance, while contractors target November and December completion dates.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has linked the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in Abuja and its satellite towns to the electoral prospects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Wike made the statement on Thursday, September 24, 2026, after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi and Bwari-Kubwa road projects.

The minister said the projects demonstrated what he described as the Tinubu administration’s focus on visible infrastructure delivery beyond the Abuja city centre. His comments were specifically framed around the political outlook for the 2027 elections. 

Apo-Karshi Road Targets November Completion

Wike said the Apo-Karshi road, which had been delayed for years, was now approaching completion.

He recalled that the project was originally awarded in 2010 but stalled before the current administration revoked and re-awarded the contract.

According to Wike, the contractor has committed to handing over the road by November 2026.

The minister said the progress on the project represented a change from the prolonged delays that had characterised the road’s construction.

The Apo-Karshi corridor is an important connection between several satellite communities and the wider Abuja metropolitan area.

Previous reporting on the project also identified the road as one of the long-delayed infrastructure projects inherited by the Tinubu administration. Premium Times reported in August that the 13.5-kilometre project had been re-awarded to SCC Nigeria Ltd after the original contract was terminated. 

Bwari-Kubwa Road Expected In December

Wike also inspected the Bwari-Kubwa road project and said the contractor, SCC, had committed to completing the project by December.

He attributed some delays to heavy rainfall but said construction activity would intensify as the rainy season eases.

The minister said the Federal Capital Territory Administration was extending infrastructure development beyond the central districts of Abuja to satellite towns.

According to him, more than 10 projects could be commissioned in the FCT before the next general elections, exceeding an earlier target of 10 projects. 

The Bwari-Kubwa corridor is expected to improve connectivity between Bwari, Kubwa and other parts of the FCT once completed.

Wike Makes Political Case For Infrastructure

The FCT minister connected the infrastructure programme directly to the 2027 political contest.

He argued that projects that residents can see and assess provide a tangible record for evaluating government performance.

Wike said the administration’s infrastructure delivery should therefore serve as its campaign message.

He expressed confidence in Tinubu’s prospects in the FCT, citing the projects being executed across the territory as evidence of the administration’s performance.

The minister’s comments represent his political assessment rather than an independently established prediction of the 2027 election outcome.

The 2027 presidential and other elections will ultimately be determined by voters and the applicable electoral process.

Satellite Towns At Centre Of FCT Programme

Wike said the current infrastructure programme had expanded the focus of development beyond Abuja’s traditional city centre.

He argued that satellite communities also require roads and other basic infrastructure to support economic activity and improve connections with the capital.

The FCT Administration has increasingly highlighted projects in areas including Bwari, Karshi, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and other satellite communities.

In June, the FCT Administration said nearly 100 projects were being prepared for commissioning as part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration. 

The minister has repeatedly presented infrastructure delivery as a central component of the administration’s work in the territory.

Completion Dates Remain The Immediate Test

The latest inspection also placed specific deadlines on two major projects.

The Apo-Karshi road is expected to be handed over in November, according to the minister, while the Bwari-Kubwa road is targeted for completion in December.

Those dates will provide measurable milestones for residents who have waited for the projects to be completed.

Wike said the government would continue monitoring the projects to ensure contractors meet their commitments.

The minister also maintained that the administration’s infrastructure programme had changed the pattern of development in the FCT by extending major projects into satellite towns.

Political Claims Remain Wike’s Position

Wike’s assertion that the infrastructure projects will translate into electoral support is his political assessment.

Other political parties and candidates participating in the 2027 elections may present different assessments of the administration’s record and make competing arguments to voters.

The projects themselves, their completion dates and their eventual use can be assessed separately from political claims about their likely electoral impact.

For now, the immediate development is that the FCT Administration says the Apo-Karshi road is targeted for November completion and the Bwari-Kubwa road for December.

Wike has presented the projects as part of the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure record in the FCT and linked that record to the political contest ahead of the 2027 elections. 

The post Wike Says FCT Projects Will Strengthen Tinubu’s 2027 Prospects appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a draft of N80 million to businessman Ifeanyi Innocent Madueke, representing part of the money recovered during an investigation into a disputed land transaction.

The commission said the funds were recovered from Austine Muanya Okafor, who allegedly sold 146 acres of land to Madueke without delivering the property to him.

The draft was presented to Madueke on Wednesday, September 24, 2026, by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate, Deputy Commander of the EFCC (DCE) Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad. 

According to the EFCC, Madueke, 42, had purchased the land in a community in Delta State for N232.8 million.

However, the businessman was reportedly unable to take possession of the property despite efforts to establish ownership.

Madueke Petitions EFCC

The EFCC said Madueke approached Okafor to request a refund after his efforts to take possession of the land failed.

The commission said the refund request was unsuccessful, prompting Madueke to petition the anti-graft agency.

Following the petition, EFCC operatives began investigating the transaction.

The commission said its investigation established that Madueke transferred the money to Okafor in three separate tranches.

The EFCC’s statement did not provide the dates or individual amounts of the three transfers.

It also did not state that the entire N232.8 million had been recovered.

Instead, the commission described the N80 million handed over to Madueke as money recovered by its operatives from Okafor during the investigation. 

EFCC Hands Over N80m

Presenting the recovered funds, Sa’ad said the EFCC would continue to carry out its responsibilities professionally and with integrity.

He also warned individuals involved in fraudulent activities.

“Fraudsters will never be allowed to reap where they did not sow,” Sa’ad said, according to the commission’s statement. 

The handover gives Madueke access to N80 million recovered during the investigation into the disputed transaction.

The circumstances surrounding the remaining N152.8 million reportedly paid for the property were not disclosed in the EFCC statement.

The commission also did not provide details on whether additional funds or assets connected to the transaction were still being pursued.

Businessman Says He Had Lost Hope

Receiving the draft, Madueke expressed appreciation to the EFCC and its officials.

He said he had almost abandoned hope of recovering any money before approaching the commission.

“I am grateful to the Commission for what they have done. I had lost hope before I came to EFCC. I thank the management and staff for the good work they are doing,” he said. 

Madueke’s comments followed the completion of the recovery process that led to the N80 million handover.

The EFCC’s statement did not disclose the current status of the 146-acre property.

It also did not state whether Madueke would eventually obtain possession of the land or whether the underlying ownership dispute remained unresolved.

Alleged Land Sale Under Investigation

The EFCC described Okafor as the person who allegedly sold the landed property to Madueke without delivering it to him.

The allegation has not been presented as a court judgment establishing criminal liability.

The commission’s statement focused on the recovery of funds following Madueke’s petition and did not announce a conviction arising from the transaction.

The agency also did not disclose whether charges had been filed against Okafor in connection with the alleged transaction.

Further legal or investigative proceedings would be required to determine the ultimate status of any allegations against the suspect.

The EFCC’s use of the term “allegedly” is therefore significant in reporting the case, as the claims against Okafor remain allegations rather than established facts.

Recovery Follows Wider EFCC Enforcement

The Madueke case comes as the EFCC continues to report financial recoveries arising from investigations and petitions.

On September 24, the commission was also reported to have announced N1.233 trillion in recoveries and 10,872 convictions over a 34-month period under Chairman Ola Olukoyede. 

The commission has continued to encourage members of the public who believe they have been victims of financial crimes to submit petitions for investigation.

The Madueke case illustrates one route through which such a petition can lead to the recovery and eventual return of funds.

However, the N80 million payment should not be interpreted as confirmation that Madueke has recovered the entire amount he reportedly paid for the land.

The businessman paid N232.8 million according to the EFCC’s account, while the amount handed over on Wednesday was N80 million.

The agency has not publicly provided further details on the remaining amount in the statement announcing the handover.

Investigation Status Remains Relevant

The EFCC’s intervention provides a partial financial recovery for Madueke, but questions surrounding the disputed property remain.

The commission did not state whether the land has been returned to Madueke, whether another ownership arrangement has been established or whether further recovery proceedings are underway.

It also did not provide details about the legal status of the property in Delta State.

For now, the confirmed development is that the EFCC recovered N80 million during its investigation and handed the funds to Madueke through a draft presented by the Acting Benin Zonal Director.

The commission said it would continue to perform its duties with professionalism and integrity.

For Madueke, the recovery represents a significant development after he said he had nearly lost hope of recovering money from the disputed transaction.

The case also highlights the importance of due diligence in major property transactions, although the EFCC’s statement did not provide specific details about the circumstances under which the original land purchase was conducted.

Further information from the commission or any subsequent court proceedings would be required to establish what happens to the disputed property and whether additional funds are recovered.

The post EFCC Hands N80m Recovered Funds To Businessman Over Disputed Land Deal appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Residents of KYC Estate in Guzape District, Abuja, have appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to intervene in a dispute involving rock blasting and an alleged plan to fill a drainage channel near their properties.

The residents say repeated blasting activities around the estate have damaged buildings, while the alleged filling of a drainage channel behind their property could obstruct stormwater and increase flooding risks.

The dispute involves a property at Plot 1785, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, represented at a press briefing by Adango Jumbo and Prince Joseph Kpokpogri.

According to the residents, blasting activities have continued despite a formal legal notice issued to the chairman of KYC Estate on August 12, 2026. They said the notice demanded an immediate halt to the activity and raised concerns about alleged damage to the property. 

Residents Allege Structural Damage

The residents alleged that the blasting had caused significant damage to the building, including a collapsed POP ceiling, shattered glass panels, cracked walls and damage to windows and doors.

They also complained about persistent noise and dust, which they said had disrupted residents’ use of the property.

The residents said their lawyers, Ajunwa & Co., gave the KYC Estate chairman two days from receipt of the August 12 letter to stop the blasting.

They further alleged that the letter referenced provisions of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board Act, 1997, and included photographs showing the alleged damage.

Kpokpogri is seeking N100 million in compensation for the damage and what the residents described as the physical and psychological distress suffered by occupants.

The residents said personnel subsequently visited the property and carried out repairs, including work on the damaged ceiling.

They interpreted the repairs as an acknowledgment that damage had occurred. However, they said blasting continued after the intervention.

The residents argued that the continued activity required regulatory attention and a lasting resolution.

Developer Rejects Residents’ Claims

The developer, Michael Auta Ayuba, has rejected the allegations.

During a tour of the property by journalists, Ayuba said he had moved into the area before the residents who are now complaining about the blasting.

He said the blasting began in 2019, before Kpokpogri and other residents established their properties in the area.

According to Ayuba, he had advised newer residents to suspend construction work until his blasting exercise was completed, but they continued with their projects.

He also rejected suggestions that the blasting was being conducted without regulatory approval.

Ayuba said he had obtained the necessary approvals and described the activity as “controlled blasting” conducted under the supervision of relevant agencies, including security personnel. 

His account therefore differs significantly from that of the residents, who are asking the FCT authorities to intervene.

Dispute Over Drainage Channel

The residents have also raised a separate concern involving a drainage channel behind their property.

They attributed the planned filling of the channel to Deansgate Trio Services Nigeria Limited, which they said holds an Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy for Plot 1803, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape, dated October 29, 2024.

The residents warned that filling the channel could interfere with the natural movement of stormwater.

They argued that the matter requires investigation by the FCT Administration and other relevant regulatory authorities before any development affecting the drainage route proceeds.

According to their statement, allowing the channel to be filled could increase flooding risks for properties in the surrounding area.

However, Ayuba disputed the description of the area as an unlawfully blocked waterway.

He said he had a valid allocation from the FCT Administration and maintained that the stream channel had already been properly mapped.

He described the location as a large expanse of land separated by a stream rather than a canal. 

The conflicting accounts mean that the legal status of the drainage area and the approvals covering the development remain central issues in the dispute.

FCT Already Reviewing Flood Risks

The residents’ concerns come against the backdrop of renewed attention to flooding and drainage infrastructure across Abuja.

Earlier in September, the FCT Administration identified inadequate drainage systems, undersized bridges and obstruction of natural waterways as major factors contributing to flash flooding in parts of the capital.

The assessment followed flooding along the Lugbe Airport Road axis, opposite Glory Dome, and involved officials from the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCT Emergency Management Department, Department of Engineering, Development Control and the National Emergency Management Agency. 

The assessment found inadequate drainage infrastructure at an estate behind Trademore Estate and noted that heavy rainfall had caused stormwater to flow towards the Airport Expressway.

Officials also identified concerns at Dogongada Bridge in Lokogoma, where the existing bridge was considered inadequate to handle large volumes of stormwater during heavy rainfall.

At Efab Estate, the assessment attributed flooding in some areas partly to the diversion of natural waterways and inadequate drainage infrastructure. 

The FCTA subsequently launched drainage clearance operations across the territory, including the clearing and desilting of drainage channels and waterways.

Wike Administration Under Pressure To Enforce Regulations

The Guzape dispute comes as the FCT Administration faces increased scrutiny over development activities, drainage systems and compliance with the Abuja Master Plan.

Wike had previously ordered investigations into flooding in parts of Abuja, including Airport Road and Lokogoma. The administration said it was examining both natural factors, such as heavy rainfall, and human activities that could worsen flooding. 

The minister has also stressed the need for enforcement where developments violate planning requirements or obstruct infrastructure and waterways.

For the KYC Estate residents, the current dispute therefore involves both the alleged damage caused by blasting and the potential consequences of altering drainage around their properties.

They are asking the FCT Administration to investigate the complaints, determine whether the relevant approvals and environmental requirements have been met, and prevent any activity that could endanger surrounding properties.

Residents Threaten Further Legal Action

The residents said they would continue pursuing redress over the alleged damage and seek an end to the blasting.

They also reserved the right to take further legal action to protect the property and its occupants.

For his part, Ayuba maintains that his blasting operation is approved and controlled and that his land allocation is valid.

The dispute will therefore require clarification of the relevant planning approvals, environmental requirements, property boundaries and drainage plans before the competing claims can be conclusively resolved.

The broader flooding concerns in Abuja make the drainage component particularly significant. The FCTA’s recent assessments have already identified blocked or diverted waterways and inadequate drainage infrastructure as contributors to flooding in several locations across the capital. 

As residents await intervention, the Guzape case places renewed focus on the balance between property development, environmental compliance, drainage protection and the enforcement of Abuja’s planning regulations.

The post Guzape Residents Seek Wike’s Intervention Over Rock Blasting, Drainage Dispute appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

… YPP presidential candidate proposes ward-based development centres, 200 housing units per ward, direct-labour construction and technology-driven settlements to tackle Nigeria’s housing and economic challenges.

By: Prince Folorunsho Adegoke, Housing TV Africa

Arc. Dr. Peter Agada, a prominent Nigerian architect, acoustic engineering specialist and presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) ahead of the 2027 general elections, has unveiled an ambitious development blueprint centred on decentralised economic activity, affordable housing, direct-labour construction and a leaner cost of governance.

Agada said his vision is to transform Nigeria into a “project site” by taking government intervention directly to communities and linking housing delivery with employment, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, energy, healthcare and infrastructure.

He revealed this during an interview with the Housing Development Programme on News Central TV and Housing TV Africa, where he outlined his proposals for addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit, unemployment, cost-of-living pressures, rural-urban migration and what he described as the disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

According to Agada, his approach is built around what he calls “LabourDirect”, a model that seeks to reduce construction and project-delivery costs by changing the way government contracts and development projects are executed.

8,809 wards as centres of development

At the heart of Agada’s proposed economic and housing strategy is a ward-by-ward development model.

He said his team has been developing a plan based on the comparative advantages of Nigeria’s wards, with each ward expected to have a development master plan based on its agricultural, mineral, industrial or other economic potential.

Under the proposal, 50 hectares of land would be identified, digitised, titled and developed in each of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards.

Agada said the land would accommodate SME clusters, processing facilities, agricultural activities, housing, schools, healthcare facilities and other supporting infrastructure.

He described the proposed development centres as technology parks or clusters designed to create local economic activity rather than concentrating opportunities in major cities.

For example, he said a ward known for tomatoes and onions could have its development structured around food production and processing, while another area with deposits or skills suited to ceramics could be developed around that comparative advantage.

200 housing units in every ward

Housing is a central component of the proposed ward development model.

Agada said each 50-hectare development would include about 200 housing units for people working in the agricultural and SME clusters.

He argued that housing should not be treated separately from employment and economic development.

According to him, workers should be able to live close to their places of employment, reducing transportation costs while giving families access to basic services.

“By putting 200 units of houses there, we’ve solved housing problem,”

Agada said, arguing that decent housing combined with employment, electricity, healthcare and schools would create viable communities outside major urban centres.

He said the proposal would also include approximately one megawatt of solar power for each ward-based development, with solar panels incorporated into roofing systems.

The proposed settlements, he said, would include schools, hospitals and other community infrastructure, creating what he described as self-sustaining communities.

Housing affordability through new construction technologies

The YPP candidate also proposed the wider adoption of alternative construction methods and materials as part of his strategy to reduce the cost of housing.

Drawing from his experience as an architect and developer, Agada said conventional construction methods can make housing unnecessarily expensive because of the cost of materials and skilled artisans.

He cited soil stabilisation, alternative wall panels and container-based construction among the approaches that could be explored to reduce costs while maintaining acceptable standards.

He also described how he personally reduced construction costs when he built a two-bedroom house for his family earlier in his career, saying he used cost-saving construction techniques, moulded blocks on site and modified elements of the building design.

Agada argued that affordability should not automatically mean poor-quality housing.

Instead, he said architects and developers should take advantage of new technologies and locally appropriate construction methods to produce attractive, functional and affordable homes.

A different approach to mass housing

Agada also criticised what he described as the conventional approach to mass housing, where identical buildings are repeatedly constructed across large tracts of land.

He advocated for greater architectural variety and the use of existing landscapes in housing development.

He cited examples from countries such as South Africa and Kenya, arguing that affordable housing could incorporate different building forms, landscaping, solar energy and locally appropriate designs.

As an architect, Agada said he would personally be involved in the design and development of the proposed housing communities.

Jobs tied directly to housing and local production

Beyond the houses themselves, Agada said the ward development strategy is intended to create jobs at the grassroots.

He estimated that each development centre could create approximately 350 direct jobs in its initial phase, with additional employment generated through transportation, logistics, security, agriculture, healthcare, engineering, construction and SME activities.

He said the strategy is intended to reverse rural-urban migration by creating economic opportunities closer to where Nigerians live.

His stated objective is to encourage people who have migrated to cities because of the lack of jobs to return to their local government areas and wards where they can find employment and housing.

He also linked the strategy to reversing the migration of Nigerians abroad, using the phrase “Japa to Japada” to describe his proposed shift from outward migration to return and local economic opportunity.

Minimum wage and purchasing power

On affordability, Agada said his administration would seek to raise the minimum wage to between N120,000 and N150,000 or more, depending on the savings he says could be achieved through a leaner government and changes to public procurement.

He argued that the existing income levels of many Nigerian workers are incompatible with the current prices of food, transportation, fuel and other basic necessities.

His broader argument is that housing affordability cannot be solved solely by building cheaper houses.

According to him, Nigerians must also have sufficient incomes and employment opportunities to afford housing and sustain their households.

LabourDirect and the cost of construction

A major component of Agada’s proposal is his plan to reduce the cost of government projects through what he calls direct labour.

He argued that conventional contracting can significantly inflate project costs through layers of contracting and procurement.

Under his proposed model, government would provide the project design and bill of quantities while communities and other stakeholders could participate more directly in sourcing materials and supplying labour, with professionals retained for supervision.

He claimed that this model could substantially reduce construction costs and cited projects he said his company had executed as examples of what could be achieved.

Agada said his approach would also create opportunities for local workers, particularly young people, to participate in major infrastructure and construction projects.

A proposed Labour Direct Commission

To institutionalise the model, Agada proposed establishing a Nigerian Labour Direct Commission or Institute to oversee savings generated from his proposed procurement and governance reforms.

He said the proposed structure would operate through a system that includes national oversight while giving communities a direct role in determining their development priorities.

At the ward level, he proposed a 13-member committee comprising representatives of youths, women, traditional or community leadership and political interests.

The committee, according to him, would identify and prioritise the most pressing needs of the community.

Examples could include repairing a transformer, rehabilitating a school roof, fixing a road or restoring a failed water facility.

The identified priorities would then be submitted to the proposed Labour Direct Commission for implementation.

Cutting the cost of governance

Agada also placed significant emphasis on reducing government expenditure.

He said a YPP administration under his leadership would operate what he described as a “lean government”, arguing that savings from governance and public procurement could be redirected towards development.

He said he would not live in the presidential villa because of its perceived maintenance costs and would reduce spending on official convoys, aircraft and other government expenses.

He also proposed reviewing ministries and agencies with overlapping responsibilities as part of an effort to reduce the cost of administration.

Moving development beyond Abuja and other major cities

One of the central objectives of Agada’s housing strategy is to reduce pressure on major urban centres.

He argued that cities such as Abuja are becoming increasingly expensive because too many Nigerians are forced to compete for limited housing and employment opportunities.

His proposal is therefore to create functioning economic and residential centres in communities across the country.

Agada said that if people can find jobs, housing, electricity, schools and healthcare in their local communities, fewer Nigerians would need to relocate to Abuja and other major cities.

He argued that this could eventually reduce pressure on urban housing markets and contribute to lower rents.

Why the real estate boom has not translated into affordable housing

Addressing the apparent contradiction between Nigeria’s growing real estate sector and the difficulty many Nigerians face in finding affordable housing, Agada said the problem lies partly in what he described as a weak microeconomy.

He argued that large-scale real estate developments and high-value properties do not necessarily translate into housing access for ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, expensive developments in areas such as Lagos and Abuja may demonstrate activity in the real estate market, but the critical question is how many ordinary Nigerians can actually afford the properties.

His solution is to connect real estate development directly with employment and grassroots economic activity.

He said the proposed 50-hectare ward developments would be designed specifically around the people expected to live and work there, rather than simply producing high-value properties for investors.

Accountability: 800 houses per ward in four years

Asked how Nigerians could assess his performance after four years in office, Agada offered specific physical development targets.

He said that, based on his proposed model, each ward would have 200 housing units in the first phase.

Over four years, he said that would amount to 800 housing units per ward, alongside the expansion of economic and industrial activities.

He also projected that approximately 1,400 people could be moved back to each ward over the four-year period based on the employment figures he outlined.

He said visible development in the form of electricity, industrial clusters, agro-processing and other economic activities should provide Nigerians with tangible indicators against which to assess his administration.

Turning Nigeria into a project site

At the centre of Agada’s political and development philosophy is his call to move from what he sees as a system dominated by policy discussions and financial allocations to one focused on physical implementation.

“We’re turning Nigeria into a project site,” he said during the interview, describing himself as a project-oriented architect who wants to take resources directly to communities and development sites.

For Agada, housing is therefore not an isolated sector.

His proposed housing strategy is tied to employment, food production, energy, transportation, infrastructure, security, technology and local economic development.

Whether the proposals can be financed, legislated and implemented at the scale outlined would ultimately depend on the institutional, fiscal and political framework of any future administration.

For now, the YPP presidential candidate has placed housing and grassroots development at the centre of his campaign message, presenting his proposed 8,809-ward development model as the foundation for what he describes as a more decentralised Nigerian economy.

His challenge to voters, as stated during the interview, is to measure the performance of any future administration not merely by economic statistics but by what Nigerians can physically see in their communities; homes, jobs, electricity, roads, schools, healthcare facilities and functioning local economies.

The post Agada Unveils 2027 Blueprint: 8,809 Ward Housing Clusters, Jobs and Lean Government appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Violent clashes broke out in Madrid on Wednesday as riot police confronted protesters attempting to prevent the eviction of an 87-year-old disabled woman from her long-term home in the city’s Retiro district.

Hundreds of people had gathered outside the apartment, with some spending the night at the scene ahead of the scheduled eviction. Housing activists from tenants’ unions in Madrid and Barcelona joined the demonstration, alongside several public figures.

Despite the protest, a judicial committee eventually carried out the eviction.

Spanish media reported that police used tear gas and made repeated charges against demonstrators as officers attempted to clear access to the building for the judicial officials. Europa Press also reported that emergency medical workers later removed Maricarmen from the building on a stretcher. 

Fourth Attempt Ends In Eviction

The eviction was the fourth attempt to remove Maricarmen from the apartment where she had lived for around 70 years.

The woman, identified in reports as María del Carmen Abascal and commonly known as Maricarmen, had faced a prolonged legal dispute over her tenancy.

The scheduled September 23 eviction followed earlier postponements. A Madrid court had previously delayed the eviction until September after her legal team challenged the proceedings. 

On Wednesday, the judicial commission finally executed the order.

Footage and reports from the scene showed protesters attempting to block access to the building. Police removed activists from the entrance while officers maintained a security cordon around the property. 

Maricarmen was eventually taken from the building on a stretcher and transferred to an ambulance.

Europa Press reported that emergency medical personnel from Samur assisted her as supporters gathered outside and shouted messages of support. 

Rent Increased Above Her Pension

The dispute has attracted significant attention because of Maricarmen’s age, disability and financial circumstances.

According to reports, she had lived in the apartment for decades before the building changed ownership.

The Guardian reported that when a developer acquired the building, Maricarmen was offered the opportunity to purchase her apartment for €247,000, a figure described as unaffordable for her as a pensioner.

Her rent was subsequently increased from €500 to €1,650 a month, while she received a state pension of approximately €1,350.

A prominent writer reportedly offered to cover the difference between her pension and rent indefinitely, but the offer did not resolve the dispute. 

The case became a focus for Madrid’s tenants’ movement, with activists arguing that the circumstances highlighted wider concerns over housing affordability and security of tenure.

Long-Running Tenancy Dispute

The legal dispute centres on the history of the apartment’s tenancy.

According to the reports, the original rental contract was signed in 1956 in the name of Maricarmen’s father.

After his death, the tenancy passed to his wife. Following her death in 2008, the apartment was sublet to Maricarmen.

The property owner, Urbagestión SL, successfully argued before Spain’s Supreme Court that the subletting arrangement was invalid and that the tenancy contract was no longer legally effective.

The company has been approached for comment in reporting on the case. 

Spanish reports said the dispute continued through several stages of litigation before the eviction order was ultimately enforced.

Protesters Demand Housing Protection

The eviction drew support from tenants’ unions and housing campaigners, who organised demonstrations before and during the final eviction attempt.

Around 500 people were reported to have gathered outside Maricarmen’s home ahead of the eviction, according to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE. Several artists and public figures also attended the demonstration. 

Activists used the slogan “Maricarmen se queda”, meaning “Maricarmen stays”, during the campaign.

Protesters also criticised Madrid regional authorities over housing policy, with demonstrators chanting slogans referencing regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso and an unrelated controversy over a residential property.

Inside the building, some demonstrators occupied the staircase leading towards Maricarmen’s apartment in an attempt to delay access by the judicial committee.

Neighbours reportedly supported the protesters by providing food and access to bathrooms.

Lawyer Says Owner Rejected Offers

Maricarmen’s lawyer, Beatriz Duro, said efforts had been made to find a negotiated solution.

According to Duro, the owner was unwilling to accept proposals that would have allowed Maricarmen to remain or delayed the eviction.

She also said the legal team had sought somewhere to take Maricarmen’s personal belongings after the eviction.

The eviction nevertheless proceeded on Wednesday morning. 

Later reports said Maricarmen was taken to Hospital Gregorio Marañón after leaving the building on a stretcher. Her immediate housing arrangements subsequently became a separate concern. 

Case Fuels Wider Housing Debate

The incident has become a prominent example in Spain’s continuing debate over housing affordability, rental security and evictions.

Housing campaigners have used the case to demand stronger protections for vulnerable tenants, while the legal proceedings demonstrate that the eviction followed a court process over the validity of the tenancy.

RTVE reported that the tenants’ union subsequently called demonstrations in 12 Spanish cities following the eviction. The campaigners used the protests to demand action on measures intended to protect tenants from eviction. 

The case also highlights the difficult circumstances faced by older tenants whose housing arrangements were established under older rental agreements.

For Maricarmen, the dispute ended with her removal from the apartment where she had spent most of her life.

The protesters were unable to prevent the judicial order from being executed, despite the overnight mobilisation and the confrontation with police.

The eviction has since become a wider symbol in Spain’s housing debate, particularly among tenant organisations campaigning for greater protection for vulnerable renters.

The post Riot Police Clash With Protesters As 87-Year-Old Woman Is Evicted In Madrid appeared first on Housing TV Africa.