Homeowners of Dr. Sam Nujoma Estate in Galadimawa, Abuja, have dragged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, into a brewing land crisis, alleging intimidation, assault and extortion by developer El Salem Nigeria Limited.
The residents, in a petition to the FCT Administration’s Legal Secretariat, said they have become victims of sustained harassment despite lawfully purchasing land and developing their homes.
Ifeanyi Echefu, Chairman of the Residents Association, insisted that the occupants are genuine owners and not tenants, accusing officials of El Salem Nigeria Limited of refusing to relinquish control of the estate’s management even after exhausting available plots.
He further alleged that the company has been using private security operatives to intimidate, threaten and in some cases assault residents, creating fear within the community.
Ifeanyi explained that the estate, located on Plot 21 in Cadastral Zone C17, Industrial Area II, was originally allocated in 2007 to the African University of Science and Technology. He said the university later entered into a sublease arrangement with El Salem Nigeria Limited, which renamed the estate after Dr. Sam Nujoma and brought in additional developers without approval from the FCTA.
He also claimed that the land was initially earmarked in the FCTA master plan for student hostel development, arguing that its conversion to residential use was not properly authorised.
The residents are now appealing to the FCT Minister to intervene urgently and ensure that they are issued Certificates of Occupancy and other legal documents to secure their properties and end the crisis.
Meanwhile, the FCTA has reportedly taken a firm stance on the matter. In a letter responding to the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department, the Director of Investigation and Prosecution in the FCTA Legal Department, Joseph Eriki, directed that officials of El Salem Nigeria Limited, and anyone found to have acted outside approved land use, should be arrested.
The FCTA also faulted the alleged unilateral change of land use without government approval, describing it as illegal.
However, the Country Director of the African University of Science and Technology, Mr. Adekoya Seyi, said talks were ongoing to resolve the dispute.
He said: “We are not unaware of the issues. Discussions are ongoing and will soon be resolved. However, I am not going to yield to the demands of the FCTA Legal Department Director.”
Efforts to get reactions from El Salem Nigeria Limited Executive Director, Mr. Michael Onyebuchi, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned.
