For allegedly distorting Abuja’s master plan, a building purportedly owned by former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has been demolished in Abuja.
The Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) pulled down the building located on the Mabushi-Life Camp Expressway axis of the city on Tuesday.
The Punch quoted Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Cosmas Uzodinmma as saying that the building was demolished like others that distorted the master plan of the city.
He was further quoted as saying that the building could not have been pulled down if it did not breach any guidelines.
However, he reportedly failed to respond to why the building was pulled down despite a legal tussle over the matter.
The News Agency of Nigeria had earlier quoted counsel to the property owner, Emmanuel Anene, as saying that cases were pending before the Federal High Courts in Lagos and Abuja over issues on the building.
“Sometime ago, people from the Development Control came to the site, alleging that there was no approval for the building. We met them at their office and showed them the approval, which they accepted. We thought that the matter was over.
“They had earlier gone to court with application for forfeiture of the property to the government which they failed to achieve at the Lagos High Court.
“So, we were surprised that a team came in this afternoon without notifying us to remove the structure.
“Also, we were not served with any notice for demolition, they just came in now and started the demolition of the structure,’’ Anene said.
However, Director of Development Control, Mr. Muktar Usman, debunked the claims, insisting that the building had no approval and notice of demolition was duly served on the owners.
He also alleged that the Development Control team was molested in the course of carrying out the demolition.