Wike Exposes Land Racketeering Syndicate, Alleges Collaboration With FCT Lawyers
In a shocking revelation, Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, has uncovered endemic land racketeering in Abuja, alleging a syndicate collaborating with FCT lawyers in court.
Wike staunchly defended his decision to hire Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) instead of relying on FCT Administration lawyers during court proceedings, citing a lack of confidence in the current legal team.
Presenting the administration’s 2024 statutory budget proposal to the Senate Committee on FCT and the House Committee on FCT, Wike justified his stance, expressing concerns about directors in the Land Department participating in arbitrary land allocations, which often led to legal disputes.
The Minister emphasized his determination not to allow FCT Administration lawyers to represent the government in any court regarding land cases, citing an alarming example where a director granted 500 hectares of land to a company, only for the company to collude with FCT lawyers to obtain a judgment against the administration.
Vowing to address such malpractices within the system, Wike described the situation as terrible, underscoring the need for urgent action.
Simultaneously, Wike unveiled the details of the proposed N1.15 trillion 2024 statutory budget aimed at transforming the capital city. With an emphasis on infrastructure development and ongoing project completion, the budget allocates funds towards recurrent and capital expenditures.
Of the total budget, N421.44 billion is allocated for recurrent expenditure, while N726.3 billion is designated for capital expenditure. Notable allocations include N80 billion for SUKUK loan projects, N29 billion for the Abuja Light Rail project, and N500 billion for commercial loans to complete ongoing capital projects in the federal capital city and satellite towns.
Highlighting critical areas such as road construction, water treatment plant completion, and new projects to enhance socio-economic activities, Wike outlined major road projects included in the budget proposal, such as the completion of Roads B6 and B12, and the extension of the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX).
Moreover, significant allocations were made for the transportation sector, agriculture and rural development, social development, legal services, Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), and Area Council Services Secretariat to ensure effective service delivery and rural transformation.
Commending Wike for his development initiatives, the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on FCT assured him of the National Assembly’s full support in realizing the goals outlined in the budget proposal.
