Mr. Balla Dakum, a lawyer in Abuja, has said he will bring a contempt action against Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for allegedly illegally tearing down property in the Maitama District of Abuja.
Dakum, who spoke to reporters from the judiciary at a news conference on behalf of his client, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, Chairman of Mykas Grid Ventures Ltd, said he was upset that the alleged illegal destruction happened even though there was a restraining order in place, according to The Guardian.
The property in question, located at Plot 4583 in Maitama, Abuja, reportedly had its fence and security house torn down by personnel from the FCT Development Control Department, who were believed to be following the minister’s orders.
“We have convened this press conference to talk about something very alarming that happened this morning with the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
“Earlier today, the minister tore down a fence on the disputed property at Plot No. AO6/4583, Maitama Abuja, even though there was a legitimate and ongoing court order telling all parties to keep things the same.
“This happened after he had been properly served with the court papers and the order.
“Let us be very clear: once a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order to maintain status quo, that order is binding on all parties — regardless of position, power, or office,” he stated.
Dakum says that the rule of law is what makes our democracy work.
“No one, no matter how powerful, is above the law.
“The planned destruction that took place this morning presents severe constitutional and legal issues.
“It shows a lack of respect for the law and makes people less sure of our institutions,” he said.
He added that court orders are not suggestions; they are orders that are backed by the entire force of the law.
The lawyer indicated that after the Wike’s move, his team would apply for Form 48 to make sure that the minister goes to jail.
It is interesting to note that this same Wike is a lawyer and a member of the body of benchers.
“But he came with more than 50 armed police officers to take over a property that he said he had given to Italia Company Limited. He remarked, “This was done without any official notice.”
He told President Bola Tinubu to warn the minister not to ignore court rulings in such an obvious way.
Alhaji Ibrahim also spoke, saying that he received the parcel of land totaling 1.5 hectares in 2006 when Malam Nasir El-Rufai was the FCT Minister. It was then modified to make room for a parking area for As-Salam Mosque, which decreased the size to 8,572.60m2.
He said that the land was given to an Italian company without his permission in November of last year, which led him to file a lawsuit.
He said that a security officer called him and told him to leave the property before it was torn down.
“They wouldn’t let me take my things.” “Without taking an inventory, they even moved my trucks away,” he said.
He was worried that the minister could still tear down his property even if Justice H. Mu’azu of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama had told him not to.
Justice Mu’azu had told the parties to keep everything the same until the motion on notice was heard before him on February 10.
The judge agreed to the order after receiving a motion ex-parte with the number M/16354/2025 from Hussaina Tukur, a lawyer.
Justice Mu’azu then put off the hearing until April 23, 2026.
Mykas Grid Ventures Ltd sued the FCT Minister and Italia Company Ltd as the first and second defendants in a motion ex-parte dated and filed on December 5, 2025, by a team of lawyers lead by Dakum.
Mykas Grid asked for two orders, one of which was “an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from forcefully taking possession of Plot No. A06/4583 with file no. MISC 129288 measuring about 8,572.60m2, also known as Park 2023, Maitama District, Abuja pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
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