THE Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, demolished a property allegedly belonging to the wife of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.
The FCT stated that the building, which was located along the Mabushi-Life Camp Expressway, was pulled down because it had no official approval.
The Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Cosmas Uzodinmma, informed The PUNCH that the Development Control Department only demolished buildings that distorted the Abuja master plan.
He noted that the necessary laid down guidelines must have been breached by the developers hence the demolition of the structure by the FCT Administration.
“If people did not follow the laid down guidelines that is when the development control unit act to correct anomalies. Whenever you see development control put down a building, they must have done so to correct the distortion of the master plan,” he stated.
When asked to respond to claims that the building was the subject of a suit, Uzodimma, said he could not comment on the legal issues surrounding the property.
The lawyer to the property owner, Emmanuel Anene, had told the News Agency of Nigeria that the issue of the building was still pending before the Federal High Courts in Lagos and Abuja.
Former first lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan has complained to a Federal High Court in Abuja over the recent demolition of some property linked to her foundation.
The demolition was carried out by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) despite a suit pending before another judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.
Mrs. Jonathan’s complaint was brought by her counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) yesterday at the hearing of an ex parte application, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the temporary forfeiture of her other property.
The EFCC is seeking to attach some property belonging to Ariwaba Aruera Reach out Foundation, which Mrs. Jonathan promotes.
The property includes Plot No. 1758, Cadastral Zone, B06 Mabushi; and Plot No.1350, Cadastral Zone, A00 Central Business District, Abuja.
In moving his preliminary objection to the EFCC application, Ozekhome said the property, which is the subject matter of the suit, had been demolished by the Federal Government.
He applied to tender photographs, video CDs and newspaper reports concerning the demolition.
When Justice Nnamdi Dimgba asked the EFCC lawyer, Benedict Manji, to confirm the claim, he denied knowledge of the demolition.
“My Lord, I am hearing of the demolition now. It is not part of our mandate,” he said.
The case has been adjourned to February 26 for hearing.
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