Fresh crisis over Minanuel Estate

Another crisis broke out over Minanuel Estate’s plot as a grader was seen clearing site around the place last Thursday. The N3 billion Minanuel Estate plot which had been a subject of controversy since 2012 is located opposite Ramidz Block Solutions, along the Airport road, Abuja. In 2012, about 572 housing units in the estate […]

Another crisis broke out over Minanuel Estate’s plot as a grader was seen clearing site around the place last Thursday.
The N3 billion Minanuel Estate plot which had been a subject of controversy since 2012 is located opposite Ramidz Block Solutions, along the Airport road, Abuja.
In 2012, about 572 housing units in the estate were demolished by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for development without approval.
Irked by this, the developer instituted legal action against FCDA. 
Following the bush clearing last week, management of Minanuel Estate raised alarm saying government had acted contrary to court’s ruling.
Counsel to Minanuel Investment Limited Barr. Nwoke John Kalu insisted that an anonymous developer encroached on Minanuel Estate land, saying the developer might have got approval from the Department of Development Control.
But the Acting Director of the Department of Development Control, Mr Hamza Madaki Tayyub maintained that his office had not given any development approval for the land.
“They’re not supposed to excavate anything there. The case is under appeal. It’s not over yet. Everybody is to maintain status quo,” Tayyub told Daily Trust on phone.
He promised to send his workers to go  and find out who was clearing the land.
Four years ago, work on the plot was suspended pending the determination of the suit which is now in the Appeal Court.
Last month, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West) revealed that the land had been reallocated to senators and House of Representatives members in the 7th Assembly.
 Melaye who disclosed this during the hearing of a petition written by Falana & Falana Chambers on behalf of Minanuel Investment Limited,  said the decision was unacceptable, with a promise to investigate and order the revocation of the titles.