Residents of Riverpark Estate in Lugbe, Abuja, are gripped by uncertainty as fears grow over potential demolitions of their homes, following actions by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that appear to favor foreign interests.
In a recent social media post, human rights lawyer Barrister AK Musa raised alarm over what he described as a troubling disregard for the law. According to Barrister Musa, the Minister of the FCT has reportedly sided with a group of Ghanaians claiming ownership of Riverpark Estate, despite a court ruling that prohibits any demolitions.
“The argument that Ghanaians own this estate is baffling,” Barrister Musa wrote. “They claim that former President Olusegun Obasanjo granted them the land, but Obasanjo has publicly refuted that claim. Multiple agencies have confirmed that the Ghanaians do not hold ownership, yet the FCT Minister seems determined to hand over the property to them for unclear reasons.”
He also criticized individuals close to the Minister, including Lere Olayinka, for allegedly spreading narratives that the Ghanaians are the rightful owners, despite documented evidence suggesting that the ownership claims rely on forged documents.
The situation has left many Nigerian families living in the estate anxious about their futures. Countless residents have invested significant resources into their properties and now face the prospect of losing their homes.
“Who will be next to lose their home?” Barrister Musa asked in his post. “We can only hope that Nigeria is spared from those seeking to exploit our resources for personal gain.”
As the controversy unfolds, residents of Riverpark Estate continue to watch closely, hoping for intervention that will safeguard their homes and uphold the rule of law.