Court Declares Abuja Home Demolitions Illegal, Awards ₦200M to Victims

A high court in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has declared recent demolitions of homes illegal. In a historic decision, the court ordered the government agency responsible—Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA)—to pay a total of ₦200 million to people whose homes were wrongly destroyed.

The case dates back to 2023, when the FCDA began tearing down buildings accused of being on government-owned land. Many affected residents had valid title documents or were in the process of securing them. The court ruled that the demolitions violated the homeowners' rights to fair notice and a hearing. Therefore, the court declared the actions invalid, stating they breached legal procedures and fundamental rights—especially the right to property.

The judge explained that demolishing someone’s home without giving prior notice or a chance to respond is unconstitutional. In response, the court awarded ₦10 million to each of the 20 identified claimants. Furthermore, the court instructed the government to halt all ongoing demolitions of private homes until proper notice is given and legal processes are followed.

Importantly, the judgment emphasized that the FCDA must respect due process going forward. The court stressed that anyone facing eviction has the right to be informed, heard, and to defend their ownership or rights before any demolition occurs.

This ruling is seen as a major victory for property rights in Nigeria. It shows that government agencies cannot remove people from land without following constitutional rules, such as providing notice, holding hearings, and offering compensation when required. It’s hoped this will protect homeowners in the FCT and elsewhere from arbitrary actions in the future.