The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been threatened with contempt proceedings for allegedly demolishing a property located in Maitama District, Abuja, in disregard of a subsisting court order.
The threat was issued by an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Balla Dakum, who condemned what he described as the unlawful demolition of the Maitama property.
Addressing judiciary correspondents at a press briefing on behalf of his client, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, Chairman of Mykas Grid Ventures Ltd, Dakum said the disputed property — located at Plot 4583, Maitama, Abuja — had its fence and security house demolished on Tuesday morning by officials of the FCT Development Control Department, allegedly acting on the minister’s directive.
“We have called this press conference to address a deeply troubling development that occurred this morning involving the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
“Earlier today, despite a valid and subsisting court order directing all parties to maintain status quo, the minister proceeded to demolish a fence on the disputed property situated at Plot No. A06/4583, Maitama, Abuja.
“This action took place after he had been duly served with the court processes 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 said.
Dakum stressed that the rule of law is the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy and that no individual, no matter how highly placed, is above the law. He said the alleged demolition raises serious constitutional and legal concerns and undermines public confidence in public institutions.
According to him, court orders are not suggestions but directives backed by the full force of the law. He added that his legal team would apply for Form 48, a notice of consequences of disobedience to court order, with a view to commencing contempt proceedings.
“Worthy of note is the fact that this same Wike is a lawyer and a member of the body of benchers.
“But he came with over 50 armed policemen to take over a property he claimed he allocated to Italia Company Limited. This action was taken without any formal prior notice,” he said.
He also called on President Bola Tinubu to caution the minister against what he termed flagrant disregard for court orders.
Speaking separately, Alhaji Ibrahim said he was originally allocated the 1.5-hectare plot in 2006 during the tenure of Nasir El-Rufai as FCT Minister. He explained that the land was later reduced to 8,572.60 square metres after a redesign to accommodate parking space for As-Salam Mosque.
He alleged that in November last year, the land was reallocated to an Italian company without his consent, prompting him to seek legal redress.
Ibrahim further claimed he received a phone call from a security operative instructing him to vacate the property shortly before the demolition occurred.
“They didn’t allow me to remove my belongings. They even moved my trucks away without taking inventory,” he alleged.
He expressed concern that despite an order made on February 10 by Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the FCT High Court in Maitama directing parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of a motion on notice, the demolition allegedly went ahead.
The judge had granted the order following a motion ex-parte marked M/16354/2025 and adjourned the matter until April 23, 2026, for hearing.
In the motion filed on December 5, 2025, Mykas Grid Ventures Ltd sued the FCT Minister and Italia Company Ltd, seeking an interim injunction restraining the defendants from forcefully taking possession of the disputed plot pending the determination of the substantive motion.
