A staff member of the Department of Land Administration of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) known as Mairiga Hassan Shahru, has reportedly been queried and subsequently arrested and detained for allegedly leaking some “classified documents”.
The FCT Police Commissioner, Adewale Ajao has confirmed the arrest of Shahru, and indicated that the FCTA staff will soon be charged to court.
He was, however, said to have been released on bail.
Daily Trust has not been able to independently confirm the actual cause of the issuance of query and subsequent arrest and detention of Mr. Shahru. However, sources said he allegedly leaked a certificate of occupancy showing land allocated to two sons of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
But Mr. Wike had during a live media chat on Thursday dismissed the alleged allocation of land to his sons as false, adding that the speculation arose from mere mischief by someone from Adamawa State whom he did not name.
The Senior Special Assistant to Mr. Wike on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka had two days before the minister’s rebuttal stated that no such allocations were made.
A document being circulated online titled “Letter of Query” and addressed to Hassan Mairiga Shahru (Land Resource Officer I) accused him of allegedly engaging in acts considered to be serious misconduct, contrary to the provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR).
Specifically, he was accused of: -”Unathorised disclosure of official information to unathorised persons, which constitutes a clear violation of PSR 100401 and 100402(j). -”Breach of oath of secrecy which you swore to uphold upon assumption of duty under the PSR 100402(o). -”Conduct unbecoming of a public officer as defined under PSR 100402(aa), thereby undermining the integrity and confidentiality required of your office”.
The letter, with reference number FCT/DLA/189, dated 4th July, 2025 and signed by the Ag. Director, Land Administration, Uzo Udegbunam J. demanded a written representation from the accused officer within 24 hours stating why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
Staff confirm Shahru’s arrest
Several staff members of the FCTA’s land department confirmed Shahru’s arrest on Friday for allegedly leaking official documents.
Speaking anonymously due to fear of victimisation, the staff who spoke described the atmosphere at the department as “tense”, due to what they put as “increased monitoring by top management”.
One female staff member expressed surprise at the action against the Land Resource Officer, stating that Shahru works in the department handling new land applications and would typically not have access to approval or allocation documents.
Another staff member said: “To be frank with you, a lot of things are going on; we have never seen some of these things before in this department, but everything in life is about time. This time will still pass”.