Adeyanju Warns Wike Against Demolishing Amnesty International Office

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against the planned demolition of structures around the national office of Amnesty International Nigeria in Maitama, Abuja.

Adeyanju also condemned the reported plan to convert a green area along a public utility corridor into a private estate, raising concerns about the purpose of the proposed development and its potential implications for flood control and the safety of neighbouring properties.

Speaking on Sunday, Adeyanju questioned why a public utility corridor constructed to address flooding risks in Maitama was being considered for conversion into a private estate.

He said the reported plan to demolish structures along the corridor, including those around Amnesty International Nigeria’s national office, required urgent clarification from the FCT Administration.

Adeyanju called on Wike and the relevant authorities to explain the basis for allocating Plot 5334 to Hammari Energy Limited, particularly in view of concerns about the corridor’s drainage function and the safety of surrounding properties.

He said the issues surrounding the proposed demolition and land allocation needed to be addressed before any action was taken.

The lawyer also expressed concern about the ongoing dispute resolution processes connected to the matter, arguing that the outstanding questions surrounding the development should be resolved before the planned demolitions proceed.

He urged the FCT Minister and the relevant authorities to immediately suspend the proposed demolitions and conduct an independent technical assessment of the affected area.

Adeyanju further called for a transparent review of the land allocation to establish whether the proposed development would compromise the drainage corridor’s public utility.

He maintained that critical public infrastructure and residents’ safety should not be jeopardised by development decisions taken without resolving the fundamental questions surrounding the proposed conversion.