FCTA Orders The Sealing Of Properties In Abuja District

Due to an alleged failure of property owners in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to comply with a re-decoration order, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has obtained a court order to seal-off 36 premises in Asokoro District. 

FCTA’s Department of Development Control, had previously issued a re-decoration order to owners of the 36 houses. The order was given by Folashade Oyekan, Presiding Judge of the Mobile Court, set up to try redecoration offenders. Oyekan also ordered that five of the defaulters who were present in court, should be given a two-week grace to redecorate their premises or risk being sealed-off. 

“However, for those who refused to appear in court, even when it is sitting in their neighbourhood, I order that their premises be sealed-off until they comply with the redecoration notice.”

She said. The court summoned 41 residents of Churchill St., Omar Bongo Close, Daniel Arap Moi Close, Paul Biya Close, and Queen Elizabeth St., all in Asokoro but only five of them appeared in court. The prosecutor, Arome Tokula , told the court that the accused persons failed to comply with an order of the Department, instructing them to repaint their dilapidated houses. 

He said that the offence contravened Section 35 of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Act of 1997. “The accused persons were summoned to this court for failure, refusal and neglect to paint their premises even after redecoration order was issued to them. The offence contravenes section 35 of the AEPB Act,” Arome said.