The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Lands in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to appear before it on Thursday over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
The invitation follows a petition by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency, which accuses Nwankwoeze of land racketeering, money laundering, and false asset declaration. The committee, citing Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, warned that failure to appear would not stop the hearing.
Meanwhile, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike faces separate allegations of land grabbing, with some property owners accusing his administration of revoking and reallocating lands to his associates. Wike has denied the claims, challenging anyone with evidence to come forward.
One of the complainants, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, alleged that the FCT Administration revoked and reallocated her late husband’s property in Abuja within weeks, issuing a Certificate of Ownership to a firm linked to a former lawmaker. She has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
The hearing is expected to shed light on the allegations and determine accountability within the FCT land administration.
