The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has resumed enforcement operations at Riverpark Estate in Abuja, seeking to halt construction activities it classifies as unauthorised, amid a lingering dispute with the estate’s developers.
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Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the enforcement team, told reporters that the action was aimed at ensuring full compliance with a ministerial directive issued by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to stop all development within the estate.
“We are here to ensure total compliance with the ministerial directive that no development should be allowed in the Riverpark Estate,” Galadima said, explaining that previous enforcement interventions had been undermined by reports of resumed construction.
The director warned that demolition alone would no longer be sufficient to enforce compliance, noting plans to escalate the matter legally. “Nobody is above the government. We have done the kinetic aspect; now we are taking it up legally to ensure that we don’t come back again,” he said.
The enforcement follows the findings of an ad-hoc committee inaugurated by Minister Wike on August 8, 2025, which investigated alleged breaches of the Development Lease Agreement (DLA) by the developers. The committee recommended revoking undeveloped plots within the estate and reverting them to the FCTA, citing violations of Clause 9.2 of the agreement.
The committee allowed that holders of prior “customary” titles who developed their plots in line with planning rules could retain their ownership, but all ongoing and new constructions were to be halted until property ownership and compliance issues are resolved.
Galadima confirmed the developer had been formally informed of the ministerial order and stated that further guidance would be sought from the FCT Legal Secretariat regarding next steps.
Meanwhile, the Riverpark Estate developers continue to challenge the directive. Head of Compliance, Frank Johnson, recently sought an audience with Minister Wike, claiming that the minister had been misled by inaccurate information and alleging that the DLA remains valid until 2030 under a 2023 approval.
Johnson also accused parties involved in the estate of conducting a hostile takeover using forged documents. According to him, forensic investigations by the Nigerian Police revealed about 12 documents were falsified to remove Nigerian directors from the boards of Jonah Capital Nigeria Ltd. and Houses for Africa Nigeria Ltd. without their knowledge.
He highlighted corporate irregularities, including the unexplained inflation of share capital from 10 million to 100 million shares and alleged lapses in the Corporate Affairs Commission’s verification processes. Johnson warned the public against misinformation and expressed confidence that the judiciary would resolve the ownership and administrative disputes.
As the enforcement action continues, the FCTA has reiterated its commitment to upholding planning regulations, ensuring orderly development, and protecting public interest.
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