Ex-FCTA Director Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for ₦318m Fraud.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mr. Garuba Duku, a retired Director of Finance and Administration with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to 24 years in prison for diverting ₦318 million in public funds.

The conviction was announced in a statement by the Director of Public Enlightenment and Education at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Demola Bakare, on Thursday.

According to the ICPC, Duku was arraigned on a six-count charge of corruption and money laundering in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/608/2022. Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, found him guilty on all counts after the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Investigations revealed that between 2012 and 2013, Duku fraudulently diverted ₦318,250,000 belonging to AMMC into his personal Fidelity Bank account. The court heard that the stolen funds were received in several tranches — ₦56.25 million, ₦71 million, ₦53 million, ₦54 million, ₦46 million, and ₦36.3 million and subsequently laundered through Bureau de Change operators.

The ICPC stated that Duku’s actions violated public financial regulations and constituted a gross abuse of office. During trial, the defendant claimed he transferred the funds to his superiors, but the court dismissed the defence as unsubstantiated.

In his judgment, Justice Omotosho ruled that the prosecution’s evidence was “credible, consistent, and sufficient to establish the offences charged.” He sentenced Duku to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, to run concurrently, or an option of fine amounting to about ₦1.6 billion — five times the total amount involved.

Reacting to the verdict, ICPC spokesperson Bakare hailed the judgment as a significant victory in the agency’s ongoing war against corruption and financial misconduct in the public sector.

Resident doctors in Abuja suspend indefinite strike.

The Association of Resident Doctors of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has suspended the indefinite strike.

He said its members are expected to resume work on Monday, 22nd September 2025, at 8 am.

He noted that the strike suspension comes after the intervention of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils & Ancillary Matters and respect for FCT Minister Nyesome Wike.

However, Dr Ebong revealed that none of its demands had been met as of filing the report.

“The senate intervened. Even though none of our demands have been met yet, they assured us that they will talk to the minister. “We hope the minister will listen to us, because we respect him,” he stated.

Recall that ARD-FCTA began an indefinite strike on Monday over poor working conditions, remuneration and other demands.

Wike explains why he revoked UniAbuja, Tech Village land.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has explained the reason behind the revocation of land belonging to the University of Abuja and the Abuja Technology Village.

Speaking during his monthly media chat with select journalists, the Minister said that the lands for these institutions were revoked out of necessity.

According to the Minister, this act would pave the way for the construction of the ambitious Abuja City Walk project, which is modelled after the renowned Dubai City Walk.

He also stated that after 20 years, investors had failed to develop the sites according to the agreements they had made with the government on the projects.

Also denying allegations of land-grabbing, Wike said the FCT Administration has continued to provide infrastructure to these institutions for the past decades without a single financial gain.

“The FCTA provided the infrastructure for more than 20 years, and nothing has been done. If you go there, they have rented out the place.

“You will see where NNPC tankers are parked, and they collect money. So many people are now claiming to have C of Os. I said okay, I must resolve this problem. There is nothing called Abuja Technology Village,” Wike said.

The minister further stated that the FCTA is planning on a policy shift that could address the issue of holding unutilised lands without development within the stipulated time.

“Land not developed within the stipulated period will revert to the FCTA,” he added.

Man Rescued After Nearly 10 Hours Trapped Under Abuja Building Rubble

A 27-year-old man, Aliyu Salisu from Niger Republic, was rescued alive after being trapped for nearly 10 hours under the rubble of a collapsed three-storey building in the Lifecamp area of Abuja.

The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday. Following a distress call, the Lifecamp Divisional Police Officer quickly mobilized a rescue team, secured the site, and coordinated efforts involving the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), FCTA Development Control, and other agencies.

Salisu was freed at about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday and taken to Cedar Crest Hospital, Gudu, where he is currently recovering.

The FCT Police Commissioner, Ajao Adewale, praised the professionalism of the rescuers and urged the public to remain vigilant and report emergencies promptly.

Three-storey building collapses in Abuja, victim rescued after 10 hours.

A three-storey building has collapsed in the Lifecamp area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.

The incident, according to the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT command, Josephine Adeh, occurred at about 6 pm on Saturday.

A 27-year-old male and citizen of Niger Republic, Aliyu Salisu, who was trapped in the rubble, was rescued on Sunday morning.

In a statement, Josephine noted that upon receiving reports of the incident, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Lifecamp Division, promptly mobilized a rescue team to the scene, cordoned off the area, and commenced a coordinated rescue operation.

She said officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Development Control Department, Zeberced Construction Company, and Julius Berger Construction Company were also part of the rescue team.

“At about 4:00 AM on 3rd August 2025, rescue teams successfully extricated Aliyu Salisu, a 27-year-old male and citizen of Niger Republic, the lone victim who had remained trapped in the rubble for close to ten hours of life saving operation.

“He was immediately rushed to Cedar Crest Hospital, Gudu, for medical evaluation and comprehensive medical care. He’s currently responding to treatment”, the PPRO noted.

She added that the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao S. Adewale, who was personally at the scene to oversee the rescue operations, “commended the timely and professional response of both NEMA and FCTA Development Control officials, as well as other Service Commanders who were on ground with their men, and members of the community”.

Wike Reclaims 7,000 Hectares from University of Abuja, Reduces Land Allocation.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reclaimed 7,000 hectares of land from the University of Abuja, reducing the institution’s landholding from 11,000 to 4,000 hectares in the Giri District.

Wike, speaking during the commissioning of newly constructed access roads in the area, accused the university of illegally occupying and fencing off large portions of land without proper documentation.

"The University grabbed 11,000 hectares without any document. That cannot continue," Wike said. "You see them fencing everything, and before long, they start selling off our land."

He directed the FCTA’s Director of Lands and other relevant agencies to formalize a reduced 4,000-hectare allocation to the university, with the remaining land earmarked for planned development projects.

Wike emphasized that the land recovery was part of his broader strategy to accelerate infrastructure and urban development in the district. He also revealed that internal road construction within the area would soon begin, stating:
“Now that we’ve opened access roads, we've instructed the Executive Secretary of the FCDA to begin planning for internal roads. In another year, this district will look completely different.”

The minister also announced plans to collaborate with the National Assembly to establish new institutions in the district, with the FCTA ready to provide land support for their development.

He added that the newly completed access road would enable the EFCC Academy in the district to begin full operations.
“They now have access roads to move in equipment and begin development. This will encourage others to invest and build in the area,” he said.

Highlighting how lack of infrastructure often discourages land development, Wike promised to provide essential amenities such as roads, water, and electricity to attract investment and promote growth.

“When you allocate land without infrastructure, development stalls. We’ll do our part to ensure basic facilities are in place,” he assured.

NANS gives Wike seven days to reopen Abuja schools.

The National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to reopen public primary schools in Abuja.

The student body said failure to do so would result in protests and the shutdown of the Federal Capital Development Authority.

The warning follows the continued closure of public primary schools in the FCT for over two months, due to unresolved issues between the FCT Administration and the Local Government Education Authorities.

In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday by its National President, Olushola Oladoja, and National PRO, Samson Adeyemi, NANS accused the FCTA of denying children from low-income backgrounds access to basic education.

FCTA to Construct New INEC Headquarters in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is set to construct a new headquarters for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

The project, located in Maitama, is scheduled to be flagged off by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday as part of events marking his second year in office.

The FCTA will execute the project, though specific details, including the cost, remain undisclosed pending the official event.

Wike Reportedly Refuses to Unseal PDP Headquarters Despite President Tinubu’s Directive

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive to unseal the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the building remains sealed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike. 

On Monday, May 26, 2025, the FCTA sealed several properties in Abuja, including the PDP’s Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, over unpaid ground rents. In response to public outcry, President Tinubu intervened, ordering the unsealing of the affected properties and granting a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their dues.  

However, as of Wednesday morning, May 28, 2025, the PDP headquarters remained padlocked, with FCTA seals still in place. Staff members were seen outside the premises, expressing frustration over the continued closure.

Minister Wike has defended the FCTA’s actions, emphasizing the importance of ground rent payments for the administration’s revenue. He stated that the enforcement would continue, regardless of political pressure or blackmail. 

The PDP has condemned the sealing of its headquarters, describing it as an attempt to undermine democracy. Party leaders have called for immediate compliance with the President’s directive to unseal the premises.  

The situation has sparked debates about the autonomy of the FCTA and the implications of defying presidential orders. Observers are closely monitoring developments as tensions between the FCTA and the PDP escalate.

#PDP #WadataPlaza #FCTA #NyesomWike

Tinubu Intervenes On FCT Ground Rent, Defaulters Given 14-Day Grace
The FCTA commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years on Monday
Following the sealing of several structures in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday by the FCT Administration, defaulters have been granted a 14-day grace period to settle their ground rents with associated penalties, after the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

According to @Imranmuhdz on X:

“BREAKING: FCTA operatives have shut down the PDP headquarters. The building was closed off approximately at 2:05 p.m. on Monday.”

According to @Imranmuhdz on X:

“BREAKING: The FCTA has closed the FIRS office located in Zone 5, Abuja, due to a failure to pay ground rent for 25 years.”