Abuja Reports

Don’t Spark Diplomatic Row Over Embassy Ground Rent, Falana Warns Wike

Published

7 months ago

June 10, 2025

By Adenike Lawal

Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against sealing off foreign embassies and diplomatic missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme monitored by Abuja City Journal, Falana warned that such actions would violate international diplomatic protocols and risk sparking a diplomatic crisis.

He cited Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which protects embassy premises from intrusion, regardless of local legal or financial disputes.

The warning comes after the FCT Administration named over 9,000 entities, including 34 embassies, as defaulters of ground rent, with threats to repossess nearly 5,000 properties overdue by 10 to 43 years.

The national headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is reportedly among those affected.

Although President Bola Tinubu issued a 14-day grace period that expired on June 6, which coincided with the Sallah holiday, uncertainty now surrounds the FCT Administration’s next move.

Falana emphasized that sealing properties without due process would violate Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He referenced over 20 court rulings, including Supreme Court judgments, stating that the FCT has no legal authority to unilaterally seal any property.

“Before any property can be repossessed, the law requires a fair hearing. This must be done through the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal, which is the legally recognized body to handle such matters in Abuja,” he said.

Falana called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to advise Wike to follow legal procedures and avoid straining diplomatic ties.

“This is a democracy,” he concluded, “and while debts must be paid, enforcement must be lawful and measured.”

Abuja Reports

FCTA Approves Multi-Billion-Naira Infrastructure Contracts

Published

10 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Samson Adeyanju

By Patrick Idowu

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Executive Committee (EXCO), chaired by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has approved the ratification of several multi-billion-naira contracts aimed at improving key infrastructure and essential services in Abuja.

The approvals were given at the committee’s first meeting of 2026, held at the minister’s official residence in Life Camp.

Briefing journalists, Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, said EXCO ratified a N3.79 billion contract for the emergency rehabilitation and resurfacing of roads within the Presidential Villa.

He explained that the intervention, handled by Julius Berger Plc, addressed over 30 years of wear on the roads.

EXCO also ratified a N9.8 billion contract for the construction of the Kabusa/Ketti road, completed and commissioned in June 2025. Dauda said the project was fast-tracked to address insecurity and improve access following past kidnapping incidents in the area.

In addition, the committee approved a N1.7 billion emergency contract awarded to SCC Nigeria Limited for erosion control and the restoration of major water transmission lines from the Lower Usuma Dam to avert disruption of Abuja’s water supply.

The Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, disclosed that EXCO also ratified a N62 million facility management contract for the Korea Model School, noting that the FCTA has fully taken over its management to sustain high standards in basic education.

Abuja Reports

2027: Atiku’s Son Defects to APC, Backs Tinubu’s Re-Election

Published

16 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Samson Adeyanju

By Patrick Idowu

Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The defection was announced on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja, where Abubakar, popularly known as Abba, was formally received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside APC leaders from the North-East.

Addressing party leaders, Abba announced his resignation from the PDP and declared his decision to join the APC, describing the move as personal and historic. He also directed members of his political platform, the Haske Atiku Organisation, to defect to the APC and mobilise support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party and my decision to join the APC. I will work with Senator Barau to actualise President Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027,” he said.

Welcoming him, APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described the defection as symbolic and far-reaching, saying it reflected growing support for the Tinubu administration’s policies.

Senator Barau hailed the move as bold and principled, noting that Abba was motivated by belief in Tinubu’s leadership and reforms. He assured him of full support within the party.

The event’s highlight was the renaming of Abba’s political structure from Haske Atiku Organisation to Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, signalling a complete political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.

Abuja Reports

Seven Injured as Bullion Van Collides With Car in Abuja

Published

16 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Samson Adeyanju

By Patrick Idowu

No fewer than seven people, including a police escort, were injured on Wednesday in an accident involving a bullion van and a Toyota Camry near the Julius Berger roundabout along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Abuja.

The crash occurred around 2:45 p.m. after the bullion van reportedly rammed into the Camry from behind, causing extensive damage to the car and triggering a traffic gridlock on the busy expressway.

A witness, Hassan Umar, said the impact caused the bullion van to somersault several times before landing in a drainage.

He added that three occupants of the van were immediately evacuated, while the cash it was conveying was transferred to a backup escort vehicle.

Umar identified occupants of the Camry who sustained injuries as Ibrahim Isaac, 31, the driver, Muhammad Obago, 32, Sanni Uzanga, 30, and Kabiru Usman, 25. The injured were rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja, for treatment.

Police officers at the scene confirmed responding to a distress call, noting that investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the accident.