…warn of investor confidence threat

A coalition of civil society organisations on human rights, democracy and good governance has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the controversy surrounding the alleged eviction of occupants of Taraba state owned property, Treasure Suites in Abuja, warning that the incident could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s investment climate and rule of law.

The Coalition, at a Press Conference in Abuja demanded an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged eviction of occupants of property located at Plot 66, 1st Avenue, off Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Abuja.

It alleged that the occupants were forcibly removed from the premises on August 6, 2026, with claims of intimidation, interference with possession and destruction of assets worth billions of naira.

The group, however, stressed that its intervention was not intended to determine the competing claims over the property, noting that such matters should be resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

According to the Coalition, the central issue was whether the eviction was carried out in accordance with the law and whether the constitutional rights of the affected occupants were respected.

It therefore demanded answers to questions including who authorised the operation, the legal authority under which it was conducted, whether a valid court order existed and whether the occupants were served with all legally required notices.

The Coalition also asked authorities to establish whether security agencies participated in the operation and, if so, under whose instructions and pursuant to what lawful authority.

It further demanded an account of what happened to the property and personal belongings of those affected by the alleged eviction.

The group said the controversy had implications beyond the immediate property dispute because, according to information presented at the briefing, the primary lessee, 1st Impression Real Estate and Management Limited, had invested substantially in the property through a loan facility obtained from the Bank of Industry.

It said the alleged eviction and destruction of assets had placed the business at risk while potentially affecting its ability to repay the Federal Government-backed loan.

The Coalition warned that if the allegations were not urgently and transparently addressed, the incident could send a damaging message to investors and entrepreneurs who rely on the protection of contracts, property rights and judicial processes.

“This is bigger than Treasure Suites,” the group declared, arguing that investors must be able to trust that disputes involving their investments would be resolved through lawful institutions rather than force.

The Coalition said Nigeria could not simultaneously seek to attract investment, strengthen democracy and build confidence in public institutions while citizens and investors remained uncertain about the security of their property and contractual interests.

It consequently appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that all federal institutions connected to the matter act professionally, impartially and strictly within the law.

The group said the President’s intervention should not be about personalities, political interests or influence, but about protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework.

“Where any person or institution is found, through due process, to have acted outside the law, appropriate legal consequences should follow irrespective of status, influence or political affiliation,” the Coalition said.

It also urged law-enforcement authorities to protect the affected persons from alleged intimidation or harassment and prevent any further unlawful interference while the dispute is being resolved through legitimate legal processes.

The civil society organisations called on all parties to exercise restraint and submit themselves to the rule of law, while urging the judiciary and other justice-sector institutions to ensure that lawful court processes and orders are respected.

The Coalition maintained that it was not seeking confrontation or special treatment, but justice and accountability.

It said the controversy offered Nigerian institutions an opportunity to demonstrate that the country remained governed by law rather than arbitrary exercise of power.

The group warned that allowing alleged violations of rights to go unchecked could weaken confidence in the protection available to other Nigerians.

It therefore called for the truth to be established through credible investigation, the protection of the rights of all affected persons and accountability for anyone found culpable through lawful proceedings.

“An injustice against one, if allowed to stand unchecked, weakens the protection available to all,” the Coalition said.