The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Friday, enforced the sealing off of Efab Metropolis Estate in Karsana area of the nation?s capital, Abuja, barricading the main gates for several hours over alleged non-payment of tenement rate totalling over N600 million since 2022.

The move took place as early as 8 am, where over 20 AMAC enforcement officers, backed by security personnel, stormed the estate, padlocking vehicular access points while allowing only pedestrian movement.

The action trapped high-profile residents, including serving lawmakers, businessmen, and a retired Supreme Court Justice, inside the upscale estate.

The operation sparked heated confrontations as furious residents accused officials of taking them ?hostage.?

?I am due in court by 9 am. You cannot illegally detain us over a dispute between AMAC and the estate management,? fumed a resident lawyer who identified himself as Barrister Nwosu.

The Estate Facility Manager, Mr. Kabiru Bello, engaged in a shouting match with AMAC officials, claiming the matter was already before the courts.

?We filed a suit challenging this tenement rate demand last month. AMAC was served, this action is contempt of court,? he said.

The standoff was defused when a serving member of the House of Representatives and retired Supreme Court Justice, Paul Adamu Galumje, intervened. After closed-door negotiations, AMAC officials agreed to a 24-hour grace period for payment.

Speaking with reporters, AMAC Coordinator of Tenement Rate, Amb. Alewa Nasiru said notable personalities in the estate pleaded for more time to pay the tenement rate, thereby averting confrontation and potential violence.

He said: ?It is vital that we resolve this amicably. Therefore, the council should be allowed to serve the residents with notices in accordance with the applicable building regulations.

?Once you are a resident, you should know what you are required to pay; then it will be beneficial for further negotiation or discussion if we are willing to settle amicably, because they do not have the right to stop our work.

?So today we are to engage in this exercise that we call ?Operation Show Your Proof of Payment?. If you show your proof of payment that you have complied, then you will be allowed to go; we have nothing to hold you, and you have to go and face your business.

?And then so far so good, since 2022 till date, their ground total is about ?559,000 only. And then the rate payable is $120,000, but they allow it to be accrued, to be accumulated to that effect.

?In fact, as I?m talking to you over ?600 million, these people are owing the government and then they are refusing to pay, and they are calling for development and infrastructure. How does the government provide the infrastructure when you are not playing your role??

Also speaking with reporters, retired Justice Galumje assured that he would be involved in resolving the face-off between the estate residents and AMAC officials, advising developers of the estate and residents to adhere to court orders.

?I understand there was a judgment, and that judgment has not been obeyed. As a justice, I abhor the attitude of those who disregard court orders. Anyone who prevents the execution of court orders should be behind bars.

He expressed optimism that the matter will soon be resolved, ?and I will be part of that resolution,? he assured (Nigerian Tribune)

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