FCTA SEIZES LAND, PROSECUTES DEVELOPER OVER COLLAPSED BUILDING IN JIKWOYI

By: Wisdom Acka

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has seized the plot of land where a multi-story hotel building under construction, collapsed in Jikwoyi last Friday.

Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, who disclosed this on Monday, 7 April, 2026, declared that the developer would face prosecution for constructing the building without approval.

Wike revealed that the developer ignored multiple stop-work notices from the Department of Development Control. “This building had no approval, yet construction continued despite warnings,” the Minister said. The collapse resulted in several injuries, though no lives were lost, Abuja Digest reports.

The Minister who announced the immediate forfeiture of the land to the government, stated that the developer would face criminal charges for violating building regulations and endangering public safety, adding that the Administration would consult with the community to determine a new public use for the site.

Wike issued a strict warning to developers violating construction laws across the capital, directing Development Control to demolish unauthorized structures immediately when stop-work orders are ignored. “If a developer continues illegal construction after being served notice, bring the building down to prevent loss of life,” he stated.

The Minister dismissed rumors of possible internal collusion, clarifying that no approval was ever granted for the project. He urged developers to follow proper procedures to ensure building safety.