By Boluwatife Ezekiel Olaleye
The Federal Capital Development Authority has demolished one of the Abuja properties of former first lady, Patience Jonathan.
The building which is located in Mabushi District of the nation’s capital, was being used to run a Foundation owned by the former first lady.
Reacting to the demolition, counsel to the former first lady, Emmanuel Anene, said the FCDA had no right to demolish the building as the relevant authorities had been shown the building plan. He also argued that the matter was already in court, He accused the FCDA of disregarding the rule of law and due process in carrying out the demolition.
“Sometime before, people from development control came to the site, alleging that there was no approval for the building. We met them at their office and showed them the approval, which they accepted. We thought that the matter was over. They had earlier gone to court with application for forfeiture of the property to the government which they failed to achieve at the Lagos high court. So we were surprised that a team came in this afternoon without notifying us to remove the structure. Also, we were not served with any notice for demolition, they just came in now and started the demolition of the structure.” he said
FCDA however argues that the demolished building had no approval and that notice was served for the demolition of the property.