Lawyer Threatens Contempt Suit Against Wike Over Demolition

Lawyer Threatens Contempt Suit Against Wike Over Demolition

An Abuja-based lawyer, Balla Dakum, has threatened to file contempt proceedings against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the alleged demolition of a disputed property in Maitama despite a subsisting court order.

Dakum, who spoke to judiciary correspondents on behalf of his client, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, Chairman of Mykas Grid Ventures Ltd, said the demolition was carried out in defiance of an order of the FCT High Court directing all parties to maintain the status quo.

The property, located at Plot No. A06/4583, Maitama, Abuja, allegedly had its fence and security house pulled down by officials of the FCT Development Control Department.

According to Dakum, the minister had been duly served with the court processes before the demolition took place.

“Despite a valid and subsisting court order directing parties to maintain status quo, the minister proceeded to demolish the fence on the disputed property,” he said.

He stressed that once a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order, it is binding on all parties regardless of status or position.

Dakum described the action as a disregard for judicial authority and warned that his legal team would apply for Form 48 as part of steps to commence contempt proceedings.

He noted that the minister is a lawyer and a member of the Body of Benchers, expressing concern that such an action allegedly came from someone familiar with the law.

Alhaji Ibrahim, the claimant, said he was originally allocated the 1.5-hectare plot in 2006 during the tenure of Nasir El-Rufai as FCT Minister. He explained that the land was later redesigned and reduced to 8,572.60 square metres to provide parking space for As-Salam Mosque.

He alleged that the land was reallocated to Italia Company Ltd in November last year without his consent, prompting him to seek legal redress.

“I received a call from a security operative asking me to vacate the property,” Ibrahim said. “They did not allow me to remove my belongings, and my trucks were moved without inventory.”

The claimant also expressed concern that the demolition allegedly occurred despite an order made on February 10 by Justice H. Mu’azu of the FCT High Court, Maitama Division, directing parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

The case has been adjourned until April 23, 2026, for hearing. As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the FCT Administration on the allegations.