Residents Drag Wike, Others to Court Over Alleged Conversion of Jabi Lake Park
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Director of Parks and Recreation of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, and two private firms have been dragged before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over the alleged conversion of Jabi Lake Park into private residential and commercial developments.
The suit, marked CV/2102/26, was filed before the FCT High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, by Goddey Iwebuke Daniel and Ahmad El-Rufai Rilwan on behalf of themselves, users of the Jabi Lake Park, residents of Kado Estate and other Abuja residents.
Also joined in the suit are Suburban Broadband Limited, Akida Hills Limited, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
According to the plaintiffs, Jabi Lake Park, inaugurated on May 7, 2007, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was originally designated as a public recreational facility for leisure, sports and social activities accessible to Abuja residents.
The plaintiffs stated that the park has over the years served as a major recreational destination for activities including walking, football, volleyball, aerobics, skating, fishing and boating.
However, they alleged that recent arrangements involving the FCT Administration and private developers to convert parts of the waterfront into residential and commercial facilities amount to a violation of public interest and the rights of residents to access communal recreational spaces.
Court documents alleged that Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited had already moved heavy-duty equipment and construction materials into portions of the disputed area with plans to alter the land use from recreation to private development.
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The plaintiffs argued that any concession, allocation or development within the park must comply with the provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning Act and other applicable planning regulations.
They further contended that the purported approvals granted for the projects were unlawful and inconsistent with the original purpose for which the park was established.
Among the reliefs being sought before the court are declarations affirming that Jabi Lake Park remains a public recreational facility for Abuja residents and that any allocation of the park for private residential or commercial use violates public interest.
The plaintiffs are also asking the court to declare the proposed developments illegal, null and void, and to set aside any approvals or allocations granted to the private firms.
In addition, they are seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from entering or carrying out any development on the disputed land, alongside ₦50 million in general damages for alleged encroachment and interference with public recreational rights.
The plaintiffs warned that Jabi Lake Park remains one of the few major public recreational spaces left within the Federal Capital Territory and argued that converting it into private developments could significantly reduce access for ordinary residents, especially lower-income earners.
Court filings indicate that the defendants are expected to enter appearance within 30 days after service of the writ, failing which the matter may proceed in their absence.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the FCT Administration nor the private firms named in the suit had issued an official response to the allegations.
The case is expected to test the balance between urban development ambitions in the Federal Capital Territory and the preservation of public recreational infrastructure for residents.
By PRNigeria
