By Mike Odeh, Abuja.
The Senate has directed Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to immediately cease all demolitions of structures in the FCT unless authorized by a court of law. This suspension will remain in effect until a Senate committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, completes its investigation into the legitimacy of the demolitions.
Earlier reports from OBSERVERSTIMES indicated that the Senate has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the recent demolitions that have resulted in the displacement of numerous residents. A committee has been established to scrutinize the issue and to invite Minister Wike to provide explanations for the controversial actions.
The motion, introduced by Senator Ireti Kingibe of the FCT Senatorial District, raised concerns over the alleged illegal destruction of properties and called for an immediate halt to further demolitions. The Senate has tasked the committee with delivering its findings within a specified timeframe.
In related news, documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have implicated Wike’s personal lawyer, Ferdinand Orbih, and Sandy Onor, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, in a land-grabbing scandal in Abuja. Sources have informed SaharaReporters that Onor, a director at ALEED Construction Limited with 500,000 shares, is a close associate of Wike. Similarly, Orbih holds 500,000 shares in the same company and represents Wike in various controversial legal matters.
Additional documents reveal that Hon. Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, is also implicated in the land-grabbing scandal. Chinda serves as a director and shareholder in ALEED Construction Limited, holding eight million shares. The company, registered on May 14, 1997, is based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the Senate has summoned the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for failing to respond to invitations regarding the Odukpani-Itu Highway project. This critical highway connects Odukpani in Cross River State to Itu in Akwa Ibom State, serving as a vital artery for transportation and economic activities in the South-South region. Senator Osita Ngwu sponsored a motion highlighting that, despite receiving over N18 billion in public funds, Julius Berger has repeatedly neglected to provide details of their involvement in the project.
