The Nigerian Senate has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to halt the demolition of properties in the FCT.

The Senate has declared that no demolitions should take place until the ad hoc committee concludes its investigations.

This decision follows a motion raised by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who expressed concerns about the escalating demolition in the FCT and called for Senate intervention.

In her motion, Kingibe’s said: “Further concerned that demolition in FCT is no longer in line with due process and that a cross section of individuals have suffered untold hardship occasioned by massive demolitions, which has led to a loss of properties worth billions of naira.

“Note that the Federal Capital Administration, on the instruction of the Honorable Minister of Federal Capital Territory, embarked on massive demolition of structures within the Federal Capital Territory.

“Also note that the demolition, according to the FCT authority, was informed by illegal structures and non-development of allocated plots of land by the FCT administration.

“Concerned that in recent time, the demolition exercise in the FCT is no longer based on reasons adduced by the FCT administration that necessitated the demolition. Further concerned that the current demolition in the FCT is not in line with due process of court orders to demolish.

“Also concerned that at the moment, an estate by name Merss Paulosa, for which late Colonel Paul Osang Kwanwa of Bebo, is the chairman, is currently under revocation and demolition. And from reliable information, the said plot of land was allocated to him in 1984 with the requisite title document.

“And further concerned that the owner of this estate was a patriotic Nigerian who served the nation meritoriously and one of the first intakes of the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, with registration number 001.”

Moments Kingibe finished her presentation, Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, objected to the motion and urged colleagues not to stop the minister from carrying out his statutory functions.

Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio told the senator to prioritise patriotism over personal sentiments. He empahsised the importance of following due process and avoiding legal repercussions.

As a result, the Senate ruled to halt the ongoing demolitions and established an ad hoc committee led by Senator Jibrin Barau to investigate the situation.