Ten years after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) designated 9,000 hectares of land in Kawu, Bwari Area Council, for a grazing reserve, affected communities have accused authorities of failing to pay compensation while allowing widespread encroachment on their ancestral lands.

The grazing reserve initiative was announced in 2016 by former FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, following complaints about cattle grazing within Abuja city and along major highways. The policy was aimed at relocating herders from the city centre to designated grazing reserves across the territory.

Under the arrangement, the FCTA earmarked 33,485 hectares across Paikon Kore, Karshi, Kawu, and Rubochi to accommodate an estimated seven million cattle.

Communities Allege Encroachment, Loss of Farmlands

Residents of Kurmi Dauda and other affected communities said the relocation policy has resulted in increasing land disputes, destruction of farmlands, and loss of livelihoods.

The Chief of Kurmi Dauda, Musa Manasseh Bawa, alleged that herders have continued to occupy farmlands, claiming the government allocated the land to them.

According to him, residents frequently wake up to discover that their cultivated lands have been taken over without consultation or official documentation.

Bawa lamented that farming activities, including the cultivation of beans, yam, banana, and other crops, have been severely affected, while some economic trees have reportedly been destroyed by grazing cattle.

Government Returns With Development Projects

In September 2025, the Federal Government resumed activities at the Kawu Grazing Reserve as part of efforts to relocate herders and modernise livestock production.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, inaugurated a solar-powered borehole and announced plans for extensive infrastructure development, including roads, irrigation facilities, schools, healthcare centres, security installations, markets, and pasture production centres.

The minister described the project as a major intervention aimed at transforming the reserve into a modern livestock hub capable of supporting thousands of herders and their families.

Landowners Say They Were Excluded

Despite the government’s renewed investments, community leaders insist that they were neither consulted nor compensated before the land was converted into a grazing reserve.

Bawa stated that approximately 12 communities have ancestral claims to the affected land, with some villages still residing within the reserve while others continue to farm there.

He called on the FCTA to immediately demarcate the reserve to clearly define the boundaries between host communities and grazing areas.

According to him, proper demarcation would significantly reduce conflicts and prevent further encroachment.

Similarly, the Mai Angwa of Anguwan Rana, Yunana Bebe, appealed to the government to reduce the size of the grazing reserve and establish clear boundaries to ensure peaceful coexistence.

OIDA Raises Alarm Over Security Concerns

The Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA) said repeated complaints to government authorities have yielded little response.

The association disclosed that it wrote several petitions to the FCT Administration and security agencies, warning that the influx of herders from neighbouring states had heightened tensions and security concerns in affected communities.

OIDA President, Pastor Danladi Jeji, warned that the situation could deteriorate into a major crisis if urgent action is not taken.

According to him, communities are becoming increasingly frustrated over what they perceive as injustice and neglect by relevant authorities.

FCTA Confirms Compensation Yet to Be Paid

Officials of the Department of Resettlement and Compensation of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) confirmed that compensation has not been paid to affected communities.

An official explained that compensation processes can only begin after the appropriate authority formally initiates the exercise and requests the department’s supervision.

However, no timeline was provided regarding when such payments might commence.

Livestock Ministry Distances Itself From Compensation

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development acknowledged that the grazing reserve project remains a priority but stated that compensation issues fall outside its direct mandate.

The ministry said it continues to engage relevant authorities while developing frameworks to regulate access to the reserve and protect host communities.

However, it did not disclose specific timelines for resolving compensation claims or completing stakeholder engagements.

Legal Expert Cites Land Use Act

Legal practitioner Isaac Steven said the Land Use Act clearly outlines the government’s powers and obligations regarding land acquisition.

According to him, while Section 28 permits land revocation for overriding public interest, Section 29 mandates the payment of adequate compensation to affected landowners and occupiers.

He argued that if compensation has indeed not been paid, affected communities may have legal grounds to challenge the acquisition.

Steven advised community leaders to pursue dialogue with the FCT Administration while also exploring legal remedies if negotiations fail.

Growing Calls for Urgent Intervention

As infrastructure projects continue at the Kawu Grazing Reserve, community leaders are demanding immediate demarcation of the reserve, payment of compensation, and stronger safeguards to protect their remaining farmlands.

They warned that failure to address the grievances of host communities could further escalate tensions and undermine the objectives of the grazing reserve programme.

The post 10 Years After FCT Grazing Reserve Allocation, Communities Allege Land Grabbing, Unpaid Compensation appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Bwari, Abuja, has ordered the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and AIBEN Properties Ltd to maintain the status quo on a disputed parcel of land located at 5th Avenue, 52 Road, Gwarinpa II Estate, Abuja.

The interim order was issued by Justice M. A. Madugu following an ex parte application filed by Tulwu Integrated Properties Ltd, which claims lawful ownership of the property.

Court Issues Interim Restraining Order

In a ruling delivered on January 6, the court restrained the defendants from further encroachment on the land pending the determination of a motion on notice.

Justice Madugu directed all parties involved to refrain from taking any action that could alter the condition of the disputed property until the substantive matter is heard.

According to the court, the order followed a careful review of the motion, supporting affidavit, exhibits, and written address filed by the claimant’s counsel, Abdul-Aziz E. Ibrahim (SAN).

The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 21 for hearing of the motion on notice.

Allegations of Encroachment and Demolition

Tulwu Integrated Properties Ltd told the court that the dispute began when AIBEN Properties, allegedly backed by FHA officials, encroached on the land and carved out about 6,000 square metres from the property.

The company said it had earlier obtained a restraining order from the FCT High Court on July 1, 2025, following the alleged demolition of parts of its perimeter fence.

Despite the subsisting court order, Tulwu alleged that armed police officers, accompanied by FHA officials, returned to the site on December 15, 2025, and carried out another demolition exercise.

The firm further alleged that its pregnant managing director was assaulted during the incident.

Further Claims Against Developer

According to the claimant, construction equipment was later moved onto the land at night, and excavation commenced, prompting the company to seek additional court protection.

Tulwu said the dispute centres on the actual size of the land allocation, with conflicting claims between the parties.

While the FHA reportedly insists that the original allocation was 16,000 square metres, the company said official survey records show the land measures over 22,000 square metres.

History of Land Allocation

Tulwu Integrated Properties Ltd explained that the land was initially allocated by the FHA to Savannah Suites and Restaurant Ltd and later assigned to it through a consent letter dated March 13, 2013.

It added that the original allocation letter stated the land size was subject to survey, which later confirmed a larger area.

The company said a change-of-use approval issued by the FHA in July 2023 officially recognised the land size as 22,017.233 square metres.

According to Tulwu, all FHA correspondence, billings, and receipts since 2013 reflected the revised land size.

Development Approval Dispute

The firm also disclosed that it applied for development approval in May 2025 and received clearance after submitting architectural and engineering designs.

However, it alleged that the FHA failed to issue the required bill necessary to commence development, despite granting preliminary approvals.

What Happens Next

The court’s latest order effectively freezes all activity on the disputed Gwarinpa property until the next hearing date.

Legal observers say the case could have wider implications for land administration and property rights enforcement in the Federal Capital Territory.

The post Court Orders FHA, AIBEN Properties to Maintain Status Quo on Gwarinpa Land appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Tension escalated on Friday after a coalition of retired military officers demanded the removal of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over his confrontation with a naval officer in Abuja.

The Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans — made up of retired generals and senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force — called on President Bola Tinubu to sack or redeploy the minister, warning that failure to act would force them to “mobilise and occupy” the FCT ministry.

The row stemmed from a dispute over the ownership of a plot of land reportedly being secured by armed personnel acting on the instructions of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.).

Wike had accused the ex-CNS of taking over the land illegally, while a viral video showed the minister confronting a naval officer identified as Lieutenant Yerima.

At a press briefing in Kaduna, the veterans described Wike’s conduct as demeaning to the Armed Forces and disrespectful to the Commander-in-Chief.

A trustee of the coalition, Col. Yusuf Ibrahim (retd.), said the minister’s comments in the widely circulated video were “embarrassing” and “beneath the office he occupies.”

Ibrahim argued that the naval officer acted on lawful instructions and that publicly insulting him amounted to ridiculing state authority. He insisted that Wike must apologise to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the officer involved, and President Tinubu.

The veterans, however, praised the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs for what they described as a professional handling of the dispute.

Another speaker, Dr. Awwal Abdullahi, who introduced himself as a Deputy Veteran Commander, accused Wike of a pattern of hostility toward military personnel.

He warned that the coalition was ready to take to the streets if Tinubu does not act.

According to Abdullahi, removing Wike would not negatively affect the administration, insisting that “more capable hands” could serve as FCT minister.

He said the minister’s attitude risks undermining the President’s political goodwill and the military’s loyalty.

He stressed that whoever occupies the FCT portfolio must demonstrate maturity, discipline, and respect for national institutions.

The post Military Veterans Ask Tinubu To Sack Wike Over Clash With Naval Officer appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has explained why he visited a disputed parcel of land in Gaduwa District, Abuja — a move that triggered a confrontation between him and a naval officer attached to former Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Admiral Awwal Gambo.

Speaking before the FCT Executive Council meeting, Wike said he acted because senior officials of the FCT Administration were allegedly assaulted on the site.

“How can I sit as minister when government directors are being attacked?” he asked, insisting his presence was necessary to address the situation.

A video circulating online showed bulldozers believed to have been deployed to stop ongoing construction being moved out of the area.
Wike accused Vice-Admiral Gambo of “impunity,” and condemned comments allegedly made by Navy Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, who reportedly referred to accompanying police officers as “bloody police.”

The minister insisted no security personnel has the right to intimidate government officials or disregard lawful processes.

He clarified that FCTA had always dealt with the military institutionally through the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, or the President when land disputes arise — not through confrontation.

Wike added that some former leaders, including ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and retired General T.Y. Danjuma, had shown humility by contacting him directly whenever land issues surfaced.

According to him, the Gambo land controversy had been exaggerated by those trying to portray him as being at odds with the military. He urged the media to report issues accurately and cautioned Nigerians against violating land-use laws.

The minister warned that individuals who convert agricultural lands into residential or commercial developments without approval would face sanctions.

“As long as I remain FCT Minister, the law will take its course. Abuja must reflect order, discipline and proper planning,” he said, vowing continuous enforcement against illegal developments and land grabbing.

The post Why I Visited Disputed Abuja Land — Wike appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The lease agreement over Abuja’s disputed Riverpark Estate has been declared void, with all undeveloped plots ordered to be repossessed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, approved the measures following the submission of a report by a special investigative committee established on August 8, 2025, to resolve the crisis and recommend reforms to restore order and protect subscribers.

The Riverpark dispute has dragged on for years, rooted in conflicting claims between Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, the original Special Purpose Vehicle, and Paulo Homes Limited, which allegedly acquired ownership. The transaction triggered prolonged litigation, with multiple firms and individuals staking competing claims to the vast land located along the Lugbe Expressway.

Investigations by the committee, chaired by Salman Dakko, General Counsel and Secretary of the FCT Legal Services Secretariat, revealed fundamental breaches of the lease agreement, unauthorised allocations, and irregular land titles.

The report warned that the pattern of conduct “risks institutionalising systemic abuse, eroding investor confidence, and gravely undermining the integrity of land administration in the FCT.”

It recommended that all undeveloped plots be withdrawn and reverted to the administration, while valid subscribers with customary titles who had developed their properties in line with planning regulations be allowed to retain them. Those holding undeveloped plots would be relocated to Kpoto District.

The FCTA also approved the creation of a Transitional Special Management Committee comprising FCTA officials, the Riverpark Estate Residents Association, and security agencies. The body will oversee estate security, verify legitimate subscribers, and manage title regularisation.

In addition, the administration formally declared the Development Lease Agreement lapsed and void due to “fundamental breaches of its terms and expiration by effluxion of time.”

All irregular Certificates of Occupancy will be cancelled and replaced with fresh titles issued directly to verified subscribers.

Wike also endorsed the prohibition of dealings with developers previously linked to the project, including JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, Paulo Homes Limited, and Common Consultants Limited.

Beyond the Riverpark case, the committee proposed preventive reforms to strengthen land administration in the FCT. These include:

•Automated alerts in the land registry to track lease expirations.

•Stricter interdepartmental reviews for mass housing projects.

•Revisions of guidelines to ban “shares-for-land” arrangements.

Approving the report in its entirety, the minister said: “I hereby approve every recommendation made by the committee.”

With this decision, the FCTA has signalled a tougher stance on irregular land transactions and pledged to restore investor confidence in the territory’s land administration system.

The post Abuja’s Riverpark Estate Lease Declared Void, Undeveloped Plots Withdrawn appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

BY IFEANYI ONUBA

A widow and her children are seeking justice at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja over their 2,500-square-metre family plot, which available information reveals was legitimately allocated to the family’s late patriarch, Mr Ayomide Fasan.

At the heart of the tussle is the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Owolabi Aderemi, who is laying claim to the same plot of land in Kaura District, Abuja, which the Fasan family insists was secured by their late patriarch as far back as the year 2000.

Documents obtained by THE WHISTLER showed that the land with Statutory Right of Occupancy No. FCT/ABU/OD.700, located at Plot 900, Kaura (B11) District, FCT, measuring 2,500 square metres, was originally allocated to the Fasan family on February 2, 2000.

Trouble started in 2004 when the original papers were stolen from the husband of the widow. The development prompted the family to file an “affidavit of loss” and also made newspaper publications for re-certification.

It was gathered that subsequently, the widow’s husband made an application to AGIS for re-certification of rights of occupancy dated December 13, 2004.

Application for Certified True Copies of the original documents was also made through the law firm of C.E. Manag and Co. on April 29th, 2005.

But since the filing of the application by the family, nothing was heard from AGIS, a development that made the law firm of C.E. Manag and Co.write a reminder letter dated August 21, 2006.

Following the reminder letter by the law firm, findings revealed that the Director of Lands in AGIS subsequently conveyed an approval to the application through a letter dated September 22, 2008.

However, further findings showed that due to administrative delays and bottlenecks at AGIS, the process of re-certification was not completed before the demise of the widow’s husband in 2011.

With the death of the widow’s husband, the records show that the family again made another push for recertification of the allocation of the land through another letter referenced OAK/DLA/KRA/015 dated October 6, 2022.

But surprisingly, during a follow-up of that letter for re-certification, the family was informed that the re-certification process had since been concluded and a Certificate of Occupancy had been conveyed.

“This was greatly shocking and dismaying to us because there is no evidence within our records that they ever received any such communication.

“The process of collection of a sensitive document such as a C-of-O, even when it was done by proxy, ought to have required a letter of authority from the original owner and a valid means of identification and face capture to be tendered.

But to our amazement, there was no record of compliance with such a mandatory procedure,” a source at the lands department who preferred not to be named said.

Upon the discovery, the family further undertook a routine physical visit to the land and then discovered that it had suddenly been fenced completely. A cement brick-making facility was also being operated on the property.

It was further gathered that this prompted the Fasan family to visit AGIS to conduct a preliminary search on the status of the land.

But to their further shock, they discovered another record in the file, in favour of a strange third party.

The search revealed that another file over the same plot was created sometime on the 25th of August, 2000, with file number OD 10089.

Based on this development, the family again wrote to the FCT Administration via a letter with reference OAK/DLA/KRA/016 and dated 17th July, 2023, and requested the placement of an administrative caveat over the land, which was promptly approved and implemented.

But despite the caveat placed on the land, the family alleged that those acting under the instructions of the Ondo State Deputy Governor proceeded with the “illegal construction”, thus undermining constituted authorities.

The Deputy Governor’s legal team is alleged to be relying heavily on constitutional immunity, a shield that protects him from prosecution while in office.

But beyond the legal crossfire, however, lies the personal anguish of a widow and her children. With every block laid on the contested site, a source told THE WHISTLER that they are reminded of a father’s dream being buried under bricks of injustice.

“This is not just about land; it is about dignity, memory, and the rights of ordinary Nigerians who must be protected from political predators,” the source said.

In his defence, the Deputy Governor, through his lawyers from Idi Danabubakar and Co., stated in a notice of preliminary objection submitted at the FCT High Court that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The lawyers argued that the defendant is currently the Deputy Governor of Ondo State and, as such, by virtue of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), enjoys immunity from the trial initiated by the family under the suit.

“The first defendant (Olayide Owolabi Adelami), immediately after his tenure as Deputy Governor of Ondo State, can then be subjected to the trial under the suit at hand,” the lawyers said in a court document sighted by THE WHISTLER.

Source: THE WHISTLER.

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