FCTA Threat to Revoke Titles of Hotels Hosting ‘Illegal Organisations’ Raises Constitutional Concerns — CCDI

The President of the Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity (CCDI), Mr. Olufemi Aduwo, has faulted the recent warning by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) that title documents of hotels, event centres and other public facilities allegedly used by “illegal organisations” could be revoked, describing the move as a dangerous precedent capable of undermining constitutional freedoms and democratic norms.

In a statement issued on Friday, Aduwo argued that the FCTA’s threat raises serious constitutional and legal questions, warning that executive authorities must not deploy administrative powers in ways that could intimidate citizens or stifle legitimate political activities.

The civil society leader maintained that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression, stressing that such rights cannot be curtailed through executive pronouncements.

According to him, Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution clearly protect the liberty of Nigerians to gather, associate and express political opinions without fear of harassment or intimidation from government authorities.

“The recent statement issued by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, threatening the revocation of title documents belonging to hotels, event centres and other public facilities allegedly used by ‘illegal organisations,’ raises profound constitutional and legal concerns that no democratic society should treat lightly.

“Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, citizens possess inalienable rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression. Sections 39 and 40 unequivocally guarantee Nigerians the liberty to gather, associate and express political opinions without intimidation, harassment or coercion from state authorities.”

“These rights are not privileges dispensed at the pleasure of government officials; they are constitutionally protected freedoms enforceable against arbitrary state action.”

“It is therefore deeply troubling that the FCTA would issue what appears to be a sweeping administrative threat capable of fostering fear, self-censorship and political intimidation within the Federal Capital Territory.”

“The suggestion that private property owners may lose their legally acquired titles merely because groups assemble within their premises, absent any judicial pronouncement declaring such organisations unlawful, is not only excessive but fundamentally incompatible with the rule of law.

“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, being a lawyer and Life Bencher, ought to appreciate that in every constitutional democracy, legality is determined by competent courts of law, not by executive pronouncements or political discretion.

“No administrative authority possesses unfettered powers to criminalise associations or punish citizens outside established judicial processes.

“Government must resist the temptation to weaponise regulatory powers against political dissent or opposition activities under the guise of security enforcement,” the UN envoy said.

Aduwo said it was troubling that the FCTA would issue what he described as a sweeping administrative threat capable of creating an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship among business owners and organisations operating within the Federal Capital Territory.

He argued that threatening property owners with the revocation of legally acquired titles merely because certain groups hold meetings or events within their facilities, without any judicial declaration that such organisations are unlawful, runs contrary to the principles of constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

The CCDI President further noted that questions relating to the legality of organisations or associations remain matters for competent courts of law and not for administrative authorities acting through executive directives.

He urged government officials to exercise restraint in the deployment of regulatory powers, warning against any attempt to use security concerns as justification for actions that could suppress dissenting political views or opposition activities.

Aduwo also stressed that where any organisation is suspected of violating Nigerian laws, the appropriate response should be prosecution through established legal channels rather than measures that amount to intimidation of landlords, hotel operators and event managers.

He cautioned that democratic gains achieved over decades must not be jeopardised by actions that appear to blur the separation between executive authority and judicial responsibility.

The activist called on public office holders to remain committed to constitutionalism, due process and the protection of civil liberties, insisting that democratic institutions must uphold citizens’ rights regardless of prevailing political circumstances.

“If any organisation has violated Nigerian law, the proper course is prosecution before a court of competent jurisdiction—not executive intimidation directed at landlords, hotel owners and event managers.

“The Constitution neither permits collective punishment nor authorises government agencies to act simultaneously as prosecutor, judge and executioner.

“Nigeria’s democracy was hard won and must not be imperilled by executive overreach disguised as administrative regulation.

“Public officers, especially those entrusted with high constitutional responsibilities, must exercise restraint, fidelity to the law and unwavering respect for civil liberties and democratic norms.

“The preservation of democratic freedoms requires constant vigilance. Any attempt, whether direct or indirect, to discourage lawful political participation through administrative threats undermines the very constitutional order public institutions are sworn to protect,” Aduwo stressed further.