FESTAC residents petition IG against FHA officials

Residents of Festac Town, Lagos, have raised alarm over an alleged violation of court injunction by officials of the Federal Housing Authority.

The residents petitioned the Inspector-General of Police through their legal representative, Adetayo Bello.

They alleged in a statement that the FHA has continued to demolish properties in the Festac extension area of 6th Avenue despite a valid court injunction restraining further demolitions.

It stated, “The petition specifically names the Zonal Manager of the FHA, Architect Akintola Olagbenro, alongside two individuals, Chuka Umenne and Coach Sesi, as being complicit in these actions. The court order in question was issued on September 11, 2023, by Justice O.J. Awope of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

“The injunction explicitly restrained the FHA and its agents from demolishing buildings in FESTAC Town’s 6th Avenue or other areas pending the resolution of a substantive suit (Suit No: ID/7397GCM/2023).

Despite this legal directive, the petition alleges that the officials named have resumed demolitions, causing extensive damage to properties and distress to residents. This act not only represents a contempt of court but also a criminal abuse of power that can endanger public peace,” it stated.

Residents are calling for urgent action by the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the FHA Zonal Manager and his associates for contempt of court and other alleged offences.

The statement also demanded measures to prevent further illegal demolitions and ensure the protection of their rights and properties.

It added, “The unlawful actions of the FHA officials undermine public confidence in the judiciary and violate the fundamental rights of property owners in FESTAC Town.

“We hope that the Inspector General of Police would intervene decisively to uphold justice and restore stability to the community.”

In a similar vein, the Kuje Amuwo Chieftaincy Family in a petition alleged gross abuse of power, contempt of court, and unlawful actions by the Federal Housing Authority, and the Nigeria Police Force.

The family, represented by the Oba-in-Council and supported by their legal advisers, claimed that the expanse of land located at 6th and 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos, was acquired in part by the Federal Government in 1976 for FESTAC ‘77.

It stated, “However, after the festival, a significant portion of the unused land, legally belonging to the Kuje Amuwo family, was allegedly encroached upon by FHA officials and private individuals engaged in illegal sales.

“The family also accuses the FHA of ignoring a restraining order issued by the Lagos State High Court in September 2023.  FHA officials led by Akintola Olagbenro, along with others, orchestrated demolitions of properties on the disputed land.

“These actions were allegedly carried out under the protection of armed police detachments, reportedly sourced from the Inspector General of Police’s office. Residents of 6th-7th Avenue suffered from sporadic gunfire, intimidation, and the destruction of homes and farmland.”

According to the statement, the land has undergone extensive litigation, describing that despite the ongoing legal process, FHA officials continue to demolish properties and intimidate residents, undermining the judicial system.

It added, “The Kuje Amuwo Chieftaincy Family calls on the President to immediately halt further demolitions and respect court rulings. Conduct an independent investigation into the FHA’s actions and the alleged involvement of police officers and hold those responsible for these violations accountable.

“There is the need for the government to uphold the rule of law, preserve the integrity of the judiciary, and ensure justice for affected residents.”

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Federal Housing Authority, Kenneth Chigelu, said the residents can never ambush or blackmail the FHA.

He said, “We are a law-abiding Federal Government Agency. We do not go against government intentions or have committed any content. However, the situation is that the court order or whatever order they are claiming does not cover the whole of Fesca town. There are these areas where we are having issues with them.

“Now, the first thing we did was that we flew a drone to capture the entire area in question, but when people now go, after a court injunction to start erecting new buildings there. What will you do? Will you keep quiet? And besides, these are areas that are not under this court’s injunction. What will you do? So as not to have to avoid that swamp they want to create there.

“If they feel we have violated the court order, let them go back to the court, not media houses, why are they blackmailing the authorities? Why are they whipping up public sentiment? What they have done is wrong. You cannot take government land and build whatever you like.

“You start with the master plan. Then you have a court injunction, and you go overnight and keep on building, do you think we can fold our arms and look at that? But anyway, the particular area that is under this court injunction will not have anything there. It is those interlopers.”

Chigelu argued that some of the affected persons lack the required documentation for their properties.

“Let them give you their building plans for what they are doing. They say that this land is Federal Government land, have they given them building approvals? Who authorised them to do this? Once anybody sees land in Lagos or anywhere, they start building.

“So they should talk about this public sentiment they are whipping. They will not be able to do what is right. We never go against the court injunction. We never do anything illegal, but anything that has fallen within our rights. If it is a statutory right, we will do that.”