Bizman sues FCTA over demolition

An Abuja-based businessman and Chairman of Silver Proof Nigeria Limited, Timothy Bagwams, has sued the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, and his Permanent Secretary, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye, before the Abuja High Court, seeking to restrain them from further demolition of his property.

Others joined in the suit no FCT/HC/ CV/2020/16 were the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council and Director of the FCT Parks and Recreation.

The court action followed the demolition of a garden facility belonging to Bagwams situated on Plot 747 A00 at Central Area by officials of the Department of Development Control, Wednesday, November 16, 2016.

Speaking, the businessman alleged that the motive behind the demolition was sinister, adding that it was aimed at taking the plot of land designated as District Recreational Park away from him.

He argued that the land was duly allocated to his company, Silver Proof Nigeria Limited, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, in 2007, with the sole purpose of developing garden on the plot.

He said that a Deed of Lease of the Park between him and the FCTA was signed and that fees paid in respect of the deed.

Bagwams who is lamenting the loss that resulted from the demolition exercise which was carried out in the presence of heavily armed police men and soldiers during which journalists who attempted to cover the exercise were thoroughly beaten up said his investment has gone down the drain.

Reacting, Coordinator of Abuja Municipal Management Council AMMC, Hajiya Safiya Tani Umar, however said any park operator that runs churches or mosques or negative investment like the sale of alcohol or brothel stands the risk of revocation.