The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is now facing the possibility of contempt proceedings due to allegations of demolishing a property in Abuja's Maitama District, an action reportedly taken despite an existing court order.
This threat was issued by Mr. Balla Dakum, a legal practitioner based in Abuja, who denounced the alleged unlawful demolition of the Maitama property.
Speaking to reporters covering the judiciary on behalf of his client, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, the Chairman of Mykas Grid Ventures Ltd, the lawyer stated that officials from the FCT Development Control Department, allegedly on the minister's instructions, demolished the fence and security house of the property located at Plot 4583, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday morning.
"We have called this press conference to address a deeply troubling development that occurred this morning involving the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
"Earlier today, despite a valid and subsisting court order directing all parties to maintain status quo, the minister proceeded to demolish a fence on the disputed property situate at Plot No. AO6/4583, Maitama Abuja.
"This action took place after he had been duly served with the court processes and the order.
"Let us be very clear: once a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order to maintain status quo, that order is binding on all parties — regardless of position, power, or office," he stated.
Dakum emphasized that the rule of law forms the bedrock of Nigeria's democracy, stressing that no individual, regardless of their status, is exempt from the law. He added that the demolition carried out on Tuesday morning raises significant constitutional and legal questions, suggesting a disregard for judicial authority and potentially eroding public trust in institutions.
The lawyer clarified that court orders are not mere suggestions but legally binding directives. He indicated that his team intends to file for Form 48 to initiate proceedings aimed at committing the minister to prison for his alleged actions.
"Worthy of note is the fact that this same Wike is a lawyer and a member of the body of benchers.
"But he came with over 50-armed policemen to take over a property he claimed he allocated to Italia Company Limited. This action was taken without any formal prior notice," Dakum asserted.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to caution the minister against what he described as a blatant disregard for court orders.
Alhaji Ibrahim, speaking on his behalf, mentioned that he was allocated the plot, measuring 1.5 hectares, in 2006 when Malam Nasir El-Rufai served as FCT Minister. He noted that the plot size was later reduced to 8, 572.60m2 to accommodate a parking space for As-Salam Mosque.
He claimed that in November of the previous year, the land was reallocated to an Italian company without his consent, which prompted him to pursue legal action.
Ibrahim further alleged that he received a call from a security operative instructing him to vacate the property shortly before the demolition occurred.
"They didn’t allow me to remove my belongings. They even moved my trucks away without taking inventory," he claimed.
He expressed his dismay that the minister proceeded with the demolition of his property despite an order issued by Justice Hamza Mu'azu of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama.
It is recalled that Justice Mu'azu issued the order on February 10, directing all involved parties to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of a motion on notice before the court.
The judge granted this order following an ex-parte motion marked M/16354/2025, which was presented by a lawyer named Hussaina Tukur.
Justice Mu'azu scheduled the case for hearing on April 23, 2026.
The ex-parte motion, dated and filed on December 5, 2025, by a legal team led by Dakum, named the FCT Minister and Italia Company Ltd as the first and second respondents, respectively.
Mykas Grid sought two specific orders, including "an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from forcefully taking possession of Plot No. A06/4583 with file no. MISC 129288 measuring about 8,572.60m2, also known as Park 2023, Maitama District, Abuja pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice."
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