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 the Jabi Lake Park recreational area into private residential and commercial developments.
The suit, marked CV/2102/26, was filed at the FCT High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, by Goddey Iwebuke Daniel and Ahmad El-Rufai Rilwan, who said they are acting on behalf of themselves and users of the Jabi Lake Park as well as residents of Kado Estate and other Abuja residents.
Named as defendants are the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Abuja FCT, Suburban Broadband Limited, Akida Hills Limited, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
In the statement of claim, the plaintiffs argued that Jabi Lake Park, inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 7, 2007, was established as a public recreational facility intended for leisure and sporting activities for Abuja residents.
They maintained that the park has over the years served as a venue for walking, football, volleyball, aerobics, skating, fishing, boating and other recreational activities accessible to residents across different age groups.
According to the plaintiffs, recent arrangements allegedly involving the FCTA and private developers to transform parts of the Jabi Lake waterfront into residential and commercial facilities amount to an infringement on public interest and residents’ rights to access communal recreational spaces.
The claim further alleged that Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited had entered portions of the area with heavy-duty equipment and construction materials with intentions to alter the use of the land from recreation to private development.
The plaintiffs contended that any allocation or concession of the land should comply with applicable planning regulations and the Urban and Regional Planning Act, arguing that the purported development approvals were unlawful and inconsistent with the original purpose of the park.
Among the reliefs sought before the court are:
- A declaration that Jabi Lake Park remains a public recreational park meant for Abuja residents;
- A declaration that allocating the park to private developers for residential or commercial use violates public interest;
- A declaration that the proposed development and allocations are illegal, null and void;
- An order setting aside any approvals or allocations granted to Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited;
- A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from entering or carrying out developments on the disputed land; and
- N50 million in general damages against the defendants for alleged encroachment and interference with the plaintiffs’ interests.
The plaintiffs argued that Jabi Lake Park is one of the few remaining major public recreational spaces within Abuja and warned that altering its status could reduce accessibility for lower-income residents and undermine the city’s recreational infrastructure.
Court documents indicate that the defendants are expected to enter appearance within 30 days of service of the writ, failing which the matter may proceed in their absence.
No official response had been issued by the FCT Administration, the FCDA, or the private firms named in the suit as of the time of filing this report.
The case is expected to test the balance between urban development initiatives in the Federal Capital Territory and the preservation of public recreational spaces for residents.
