The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has taken the dramatic step of sealing off Efab Metropolis Estate in Karsana due to an alleged non-payment of tenement rates amounting to N600 million since 2022. The action resulted in the temporary entrapment of high-profile residents, including serving lawmakers and a retired Supreme Court Justice, inside the estate.
Early in the morning, over 20 AMAC enforcement officers, supported by security personnel, padlocked the estate’s main gates, allowing only pedestrian movement. This operation sparked confrontations, with residents accusing officials of taking them “hostage.”
One resident, a lawyer named Barrister Nwosu, expressed outrage at being detained over a dispute between AMAC and the estate management, stating he had a court appearance that morning.
The Estate Facility Manager, Mr. Kabiru Bello, engaged in a heated exchange with AMAC officials, asserting that the matter was already in court. He mentioned that a lawsuit challenging the tenement rate demand had been filed the previous month.
The standoff was eventually defused when a serving member of the House of Representatives and retired Supreme Court Justice, Paul Adamu Galumje, intervened. Following closed-door negotiations, AMAC officials granted a 24-hour grace period for payment.
Amb. Alewa Nasiru, AMAC Coordinator of Tenement Rate, explained that notable personalities in the estate had requested more time to settle the debt, which helped avoid further conflict. He emphasized the importance of resolving the issue amicably and adhering to court orders.
Justice Galumje assured residents that he would assist in resolving the matter, expressing his disdain for those who disregard court rulings. He remains optimistic that a resolution will be achieved soon.
