The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has issued a stop order against the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and other government members, preventing them from overriding the claims of Nanet Hotels Limited over a choice piece of land in the Maitama District.
Court records provided to PREMIUM TIMES indicate that an injunction was granted on December 22, 2025, which prohibits the minister, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and their representatives from disrupting the hotel’s possession and usage of the land while a motion on notice is under consideration.
The contested land is classified as Park No. 2008, located in Cadastral Zone A06, which spans approximately 1.96 hectares.
In its ruling, the court specifically directed the defendants not to evict, harass, seal, demolish, or disturb the operations of Nanet Hotels on the site. Additionally, the court directed that all parties involved maintain the circumstances as they were at the time the suit was lodged.
Moreover, the court ordered the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force not to execute any purported land revocation or provide security for any related activities.
This interim injunction follows an ex parte motion filed by Nanet Hotels, contesting a land revocation notice issued in a letter dated July 7, 2025.
The hotel claims that, according to a Deed of Sub-Lease signed on July 9, 2007, it is entitled to remain on the land until 2037, barring any lawful termination of the agreement according to the stipulations and relevant laws.
Following the verdict, attorneys for the hotel released a public advisory urging investors and developers to refrain from engaging with the disputed land during the ongoing legal proceedings.
This notice highlighted the potential risks for any transactions concerning the property that could lead to extended legal disputes, in light of existing court directives linked to the lawsuit marked FCT/HC/CV/5274/2025.
According to the solicitors, no individual or authority at present has the legal standing to allocate, sell, lease, or otherwise deal with any part of the land or derivations from it.
The legal team further indicated that their client stands ready to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary, framing the conflict as part of broader efforts to combat purported land racketeering and the illicit conversion of parks within the Federal Capital Territory.
Background
The issuance of this injunction occurs against the backdrop of increased enforcement actions by the FCTA. In September 2025, the administration withdrew all park licenses in Abuja, mandating operators to undergo new evaluations for potential reallocation after various infractions of land-use regulations surfaced.
FCTA officials also took down sections of Boulevard Park in Maitama due to unauthorized constructions, citing violations of Abuja's master development plan.
These actions constitute part of a broader initiative to tackle illegal land conversions and infractions of park-use rules in premium zones like Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki.
This case highlights the significant issues surrounding land ownership and disputes within the FCT.
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