Femi Falana, a top Nigerian lawyer, has warned the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) not to go ahead with its plan to seal embassies and other properties in Abuja over unpaid ground rent. He said this move is illegal and could damage Nigeria’s relationship with other countries.
In an interview on Channels Television, Falana explained that embassies are protected by an international law called the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This law stops any country from interfering with buildings used by diplomats from other nations.
He explained that, according to this international agreement, embassies in Abuja cannot be touched by local authorities. Even the furniture and vehicles used by the embassies are protected.
No Nigerian court has the power to approve such actions. Falana warned that if Nigeria tries to seal off an embassy, it could lead to big diplomatic problems because the country has signed and agreed to follow this international law.
Falana didn’t just stop at embassies. He also criticized the FCTA for sealing buildings owned by banks, political parties, and other organizations without getting permission from the court. He said this practice is against the Nigerian Constitution and it denies people their right to be heard in court.
He made it clear that the minister or any official cannot take the law into their own hands. Using an example, he said if someone owes you money, you still can’t just take over their house without a court ruling. He mentioned that there are many legal cases—at the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court—that say the same thing.
Falana brought up a well-known case, Union Bank v. Ajabule, where the Supreme Court ruled that it’s illegal to use force to collect debts. He also reminded people of past court cases where media houses were shut down by the military government but were later reopened by court orders, including one where Punch Newspaper was given N22 million in damages.
He disagreed with the FCTA’s use of Section 42 of the Land Use Act and other planning laws to defend their actions. He insisted that regardless of what these laws say, officials must still go through the courts.
He also said that property disputes and demolition issues should be taken to the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal in Abuja, which is the proper legal body for handling such matters.
Falana also spoke about the hard economic situation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He said while rich people are doing well, most ordinary Nigerians are suffering because the economy is getting worse and the cost of living is too high.
