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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Managing Director/Project Manager of PRACO International Limited, Dr. Chukwudubem Ezekwelu, has descried the wilful demolition of Praco Housing Estate despite the existence of necessary approvals and legitimate titles.
In March 27, officials of development control of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, defied substantive court orders to embark on the demolition of an estate being development by SNECOU Group Ltd.
The property owned by PRACO Limited and situated at plot 581E No E27 Cadastral Zone, Kugbo with registration number FCDA/DC/BP/ASD/29163, is being developed by SNECOU Group Ltd.
Addressing a press conference at the company headquarters, Ezekwelu lamented that as early as 7.45 am, the officials of FCT, alongside a retinue of security personnel drawn from the military, police and the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), DSS and NCS stormed the site with many heavy equipment including excavators and bulldozers and commenced demolition.
He disclosed that the officials refused to abide by the substantive order of an FCT High Court 44, Wuse Zone 2, presided over by Hon. Justice Eleojo Enenche dated March 22, 2024 in Suit No FCT/HC/CV/1739/24 on Motion No M/5827/2024.
The Project Manager disclosed that the FCT High Court on Thursday March 28 extended the interlocutory injunction against the FCDA authorities and restrained them from further actions pending the hearing of the substantive suit on April 9, 2024.
He noted that on several occasions the court had granted Praco reliefs sought in the case of trespass and attempt to dispossess the company of its legitimate title to the said property, adding “we are privy to series of efforts by a highly placed official in FCDA, who has interest in Sunrise Estate to cause a breach of the law.
Ezekwelu said that as a lawyer it beggars belief that FCDA which is a creation of the law should engage in flagrant disobedience of orders of a court of competent jurisdiction, stressing that his company would continue on the part of legality to ensure that the right things are done.
Speaking about conspiracy between Nigerians and foreign nationals in land disputes in Abuja, Ezekwelu called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to beam their search lights on property in Nigeria.
He expressed the propensity of some dubious foreign nationals to use the property market in Nigeria for money laundering and even terrorism financing, adding that some Nigerians easily fall for the machinations of these overzealous but dubious investors.
