Questions are mounting over the alleged alteration, subdivision and sale of plots within the Tungan Maje 2 Layout in Gwagwalada, following claims that portions of an existing layout approved by the relevant planning authorities may have been redesigned or carved out without the required authorisation.
At the centre of the allegations is a town planner identified as Alhaji Adamu Gajere, whose activities in connection with Tungan Maje 1, Tungan Maje 2 and other layouts are now being questioned by some residents, landowners and individuals who claim to have obtained plots within the affected areas.
Documents and accounts reviewed by Chronicles Reporters indicate that the Tungan Maje 2 Layout was originally prepared during the tenure of a former FCDA zonal planning official, identified in documents and accounts obtained by ChroniclesReporters as the late Douglas Enaifogha, who was reportedly posted to Gwagwalada during his service with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Following his death several years ago, questions have emerged among some landowners and residents over what they describe as subsequent alterations to portions of the original layout.
Alleged Carving and Sale of Plots
Sources familiar with the dispute allege that Gajere has been involved in the carving, subdivision and marketing of plots within the existing layout without the necessary approval of the relevant planning authorities.
The newspaper has not independently established that every transaction attributed to Gajere was unauthorised. However, the allegations have raised questions about the authority under which some of the disputed plots were allegedly created and allocated.
The controversy is further complicated by claims that Gajere presented what was described as a redesign or adjustment of portions of Tungan Maje 1 and Tungan Maje 2.
Questions have consequently been raised over whether the alleged redesign received the approval of the appropriate FCDA planning authorities and whether it complied with applicable town-planning, surveying and land-administration procedures.
Sources familiar with the matter claim that the alleged redesign is not recognised as an approved replacement for the original FCDA layout. Chronicles Reporters has independently verified the full status of the disputed redesign and discovered his craved layout is not recognized by FCDA.
What Is Gajere’s Official Role?
Another major issue arising from the investigation concerns Gajere’s official position within the FCDA’s Gwagwalada operations and whether that position gives him the authority to redesign, alter, approve or allocate plots within an existing layout.
Documents and information reviewed by Chronicles Reporters indicate that Gajere serves as a town planner. However, sources within the planning system, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly, disputed the suggestion that he is the official responsible for approving or redesigning the layouts in question.
The sources also maintained that the alteration of an approved layout would ordinarily require the involvement and approval of the appropriate planning authorities and could not simply be undertaken by an individual officer acting alone.
The newspaper is seeking clarification from the FCDA on Gajere’s exact responsibilities, the authority attached to his position and whether he had any official mandate relating to the alleged redesigns.
Alleged Use of Former Official’s Signature?
The investigation has also uncovered allegations concerning documents allegedly bearing the signature of a former FCDA planning official identified by sources as Murtala, who reportedly served as a zonal planner in Gwagwalada in the early 2000s.
According to sources familiar with the allegations, there are claims that documents relating to later alterations or “adjustments” to existing layouts may have been attributed to or presented as having been prepared under the authority of the former official.
More seriously, some sources allege that the signature of the late or former planning official may have been used to backdate documents relating to what they describe as subsequent alterations.
Chronicles Reporters has not independently established that any signature was forged, backdated or improperly used. The newspaper is therefore seeking access to the original planning records, archival files and official verification from the FCDA to determine the authenticity, date and authority behind the documents in question.
If established, such conduct would raise serious questions about the integrity of planning records and the validity of transactions based on such documents.
The controversy has reportedly already reached the attention of relevant authorities.
One individual who claims to have acquired land through the disputed process is said to have petitioned the appropriate authorities last year, raising concerns over the circumstances surrounding the allocation or sale of the property.
Sources further told Chronicles Reporters that Gajere was subsequently invited by the FCT Police Command in connection with allegations relating to land transactions and alleged land racketeering.
The circumstances surrounding the invitation, the nature of any investigation conducted and the reason for his subsequent release could not independently be established by the newspaper at the time of filing.
Importantly, an invitation by the police or an allegation contained in a petition does not establish criminal liability. Any allegation would have to be investigated and determined by the appropriate authorities.
The dispute has reportedly created anxiety among some individuals who claim to have purchased plots within the affected areas.
Some residents and alleged purchasers told sources that they fear losing their investments if the plots they acquired are subsequently found not to have been validly created or allocated.
There are also allegations that some individuals who questioned disputed allocations faced threats or intimidation. These claims remain under investigation, and Chronicles Reporters has not independently verified the identity of those allegedly responsible or established that such incidents were directly connected to the land dispute.
The newspaper has deliberately excluded unverified claims circulating in the community concerning alleged spiritual powers, political influence or police connections because no credible evidence has been independently established to support those claims.
The Bigger Question: Who Approved the Layout Changes?
At the heart of the investigation is a straightforward but important question:
What is the legally recognised layout for Tungan Maje 2, and who authorised any subsequent alterations to it?
The investigation raises several questions:
- Was the original Tungan Maje 2 Layout formally approved by the appropriate FCDA authorities?
- What is the current status of that original approval?
- Was any subsequent redesign, adjustment or subdivision officially approved?
- Who prepared the alleged revised layout?
- Which planning authority authorised it?
- Were the required surveying and planning procedures followed?
- Were the affected plots legally created before they were marketed or allocated?
- Who collected payments from individuals who allegedly purchased the disputed plots?
- What protection is available to purchasers who acquired land believing their transactions were legitimate?
These questions are particularly important because the alteration of an approved layout can have consequences beyond an individual land dispute. It can affect property ownership, development rights, infrastructure planning and the investments of residents who may have purchased land in good faith.
Questions Over Alleged Proceeds and Properties?
Chronicles Reporters is also examining allegations that proceeds allegedly generated from the sale or allocation of disputed plots were subsequently used to acquire properties and fund building projects.
At the time of publication, the newspaper had not independently established the ownership, source of funds or connection between any identified property and proceeds from the disputed land transactions.
The newspaper is therefore examining available property records, transaction documents and other relevant evidence before drawing any conclusion.
As part of standard journalistic practice, Chronicles Reporters made efforts to obtain Alhaji Adamu Gajere’s response to the allegations contained in this investigation.
Calls and attempts to reach him for comment had not yielded a response as of the time of filing.
The newspaper also intends to contact the relevant FCDA authorities and other institutions with records capable of clarifying the status of the original and alleged revised layouts.
Chronicles Reporters remains willing to publish Mr. Gajere’s response in full, subject to normal editorial standards, should he choose to respond.
Investigation Continues, this investigation is ongoing.
The Chronicles Reporters Investigative Desk is examining planning approvals, layout drawings, survey documents, petitions, allocation records, transaction documents and official correspondence connected to Tungan Maje 1 and Tungan Maje 2.
The newspaper will also seek clarification from the relevant FCDA departments and other authorities responsible for planning, surveying and land administration.
At this stage, Chronicles Reporters is not concluding that Alhaji Adamu Gajere committed any offence. The purpose of the investigation is to establish whether the alleged alterations and transactions were authorised, who approved them, and whether individuals who purchased plots were dealt with in accordance with the applicable rules.
Further findings will be published as the investigation progresses.