Exposed: Group wants investigation into shady 2.5-Hectare Karmo Property takeover

 A civil society organization has voiced out over the alleged takeover of a wide swath of land situated at   the Karmo district in the Federal Capital Territory by some persons believed to be very influential and powerful in society and wants immediate investigations into the matter

 By Our Correspondent

The Competent Governance for Accountability and Civic Trust (CGACT) has called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and relevant security authorities to urgently investigate an alleged attempt to take over a 2.5-hectare property belonging to Manec Homes Limited in Karmo District, Abuja.

The civil society organisation, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Amb. Omoba Michael, and General Secretary, Mal. Baba Suleiman, urged the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike; the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; the Chief of Defence Staff; the Chief of Army Staff; and other relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the dispute and ensure
it is resolved in accordance with due process.

According to CGACT, the dispute was earlier brought before the Nigeria Police Force, after which the parties reportedly submitted their title and allocation documents for verification by relevant authorities within the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The organisation said information available to it indicated that the reported verification outcome recognised Manec Homes Limited’s claim, while raising questions concerning documents allegedly relied upon by Major General Wilson Ali (Rtd.).

CGACT, however, stressed that the claims should be independently verified by the appropriate authorities before any conclusion is reached.

A major issue raised by the organisation concerns an alleged Letter of Intent purportedly issued in 2007 in favour of Bijou Properties Limited.

CGACT said it understood that no corresponding record of the document was reportedly found in FCDA records, while Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records reportedly indicate that Bijou Properties Limited was incorporated in 2022.

The organisation said if independently established, the apparent discrepancy would require clarification on how a document purportedly issued to the company in 2007 could predate its incorporation.

It also called for clarification over the reported status of Major General Ali in relation to the company, noting that it understood he was not listed as a director of Bijou Properties Limited.

 “These matters require urgent authentication by the relevant authorities,” the group said.

The organisation further expressed concern over allegations that armed serving military personnel were deployed to the disputed property, allegedly preventing representatives of Manec Homes Limited from accessing the premises and subjecting them to intimidation and threats.

CGACT said such an allegation, if established, would raise questions about the deployment of state security resources in a private property dispute.

It therefore urged the FCT Administration and security authorities to investigate the allegation and ensure that security agencies are not used to circumvent lawful processes or intimidate any party to the dispute.

The group also raised concerns over allegations that Major General Ali had relied on his relationship with the Minister of Defence in resisting the reported outcome of the investigation.

It further referred to an allegation that Ali had claimed that Gen. Musa was his course mate and that, while Musa remained Minister of Defence, neither an individual nor a court could prevent him from taking over the property.

CGACT emphasised that it was not presenting the allegations as established facts but said they warranted clarification and appropriate investigation.

The organisation appealed to Gen. Musa to maintain strict neutrality and ensure that his office and reputation were not drawn into the property dispute.

“No personal relationship, professional association or course-mate connection should override the rule of law,” it stated.

Among other demands, CGACT called for an urgent and impartial review of FCDA records concerning the allocation and status of the 2.5-hectare property.

 It also demanded authentication of all title and allocation documents, particularly the alleged 2007 Letter of Intent, as well as an investigation into the reported discrepancy between the alleged 2007 document and the 2022 incorporation of Bijou Properties Limited.

The group further called for an investigation into the alleged deployment of armed military personnel and assurances that security agencies would not be used to intimidate or dispossess any party.

It urged all parties to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and called for the protection of the integrity of the FCDA land administration system irrespective of the status or connections of those involved.

CGACT added that any document or conduct found to be fraudulent or unlawful should be referred to the appropriate law-enforcement authorities.

The organisation said its intervention was not intended to prejudge the rights of any party but to demand transparency, due process, protection of property rights and the integrity of public institutions.

“Every Nigerian deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of status or connections,” CGACT said, urging the relevant authorities to intervene urgently, establish the facts and ensure that the matter is resolved transparently and in accordance with the law.