FCTA refutes AEDC’s “land grabbing” allegations over Abuja substation, threatens legal action

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has strongly denied allegations made by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) regarding an alleged invasion and unlawful encroachment at its C2 Maitama substation in Abuja.
In a press statement issued by the Department of Development Control on Monday, the FCTA described the distribution company’s claims as “highly defamatory, misleading, and malicious,” insisting that its officers acted strictly within their legal mandate.
It was gathered that the dispute stems from a public announcement published by AEDC management on July 10, 2026, which accused FCTA officials, led by Assistant Director Mr. Chinedu Okoro, of illegally entering the substation premises alongside alleged “land grabbers.”
Setting the record straight, the Acting Director of the Department of Development Control, Tpl Bashir Madaki Sunusi, explained that officials visited the site on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, following an official complaint from a land allottee who holds a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) signed by the FCT Minister.
Madaki, added that the property owner had reported that AEDC officials were obstructing access to his plot.
According to him, a team of district officers and surveyors inspected the site and discovered a barbed-wire fence used to illegally block off the land.
He noted that surveyors deployed standard equipment to establish boundary beacons and check whether any encroachment had actually occurred.
He further revealed that despite an agreement between AEDC’s Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Blessing Ogwe, and FCTA officials to hold a resolution meeting, AEDC management failed to show up after keeping the FCTA team waiting from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Addressing claims that the operation disrupted electricity supply, the FCTA firmly rejected responsibility, stating that its team did not touch, alter, or damage any power cables or infrastructure.
“The electricity supply was fully functional when our team departed the area.
“The subsequent power disruption was fabricated to ignite crisis and curry sympathy from the public,” the statement read.
The FCTA Department maintained that the Minister of the FCT holds the sole statutory authority over land allocations within the territory, advising AEDC to present its title documents through proper administrative channels rather than resorting to public blackmail.
The FCTA issued a two-point demand to AEDC management- immediate withdrawal of the alleged defamatory publication from all online platforms, and an unreserved public apology published across major national daily newspapers.
The Department warned that failure to comply would leave both the FCTA and the affected officials with no option but to seek full legal redress in court.