Demolition Threat: Dutse Residents Drag FCT Minister To Court

Kubwa Online

 

Residents of Dutse community in Bwari area council have dragged the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed before an Abuja high court seeking a declaration that the marking of their houses for demolition by the defendant is illegal, null and void.

The plaintiffs have joined in the suit, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), the minister of the FCT and the department of development control as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs, in a writ issued on their behalf by Samuel Ogala of FALANA & FALANA’S CHAMBERS, Abuja said the threat is a violation of Section 47, 61 and 83 of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act Cap N138 LFN 2004. Consequently, they are seeking an order of court mandating the defendants to upgrade Dutse community into a modern community by providing the community with basic infrastructure such as good road network, pipe bore water, health care facilities for a decent and standard living.

"An order of this honourable court mandating the defendants to integrate the plaintiffs and all residents of Dutse community into the upgrade of Dutse community and give the plaintiffs right of first refusal for lands in the upgraded Dutse community."

They also want the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from the demolition of the plaintiffs property located within Dutse community of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and any properties located within Dutse community pending when the defendants submit before this honourable court, a site plan of Dutse community that integrates the plaintiffs into the site plan for the upgrade of the community into a modern community.

When the matter came up yesterday before Justice S. Garba of court 5, for mention, it was adjourned to August 2, 2013 for hearing of the plaintiffs’ exparte motion.