Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, Chairman and CEO of SNECOU Group Limited, expressed dismay over the demolition of his 214-hectare investment in Abuja’s Asokoro district. He accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of ordering the demolition, despite two court orders forbidding such actions.
The demolition, carried out without a court order, saw armed security personnel, including soldiers and policemen, raze buildings and fences to rubble within six hours. Ukachukwu appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, alleging that the estate was targeted because of his Igbo ethnicity, not for any legal infractions.
He recounted Wike’s inflammatory remarks during a meeting, where the minister questioned allocating vast land to an Igbo individual. Despite possessing all legal documents, including ministerial approvals and a Certificate of Occupancy, Ukachukwu claimed ignorance of any reason or notice for the demolition.
The developer emphasized two court orders restraining FCT actions on the property, suggesting a disregard for the law. He urged President Tinubu to address the situation, fearing the erosion of investor rights and business credibility.
When contacted, FCTA spokesman Mr. Tony Ogunleye expressed ignorance of the demolition but affirmed the FCT’s non-discriminatory approach. He pledged to investigate the matter, reaffirming that demolitions are based on legal violations, not ethnicity or regional origin.
