Legal Services
Head
The Director of Legal Services, Yakubu Abubakar, Esq., was born on 14th April, 1972 in Gurdi village of Niger State in the present Federal Capital Territory.
He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The Director joined the services of the Federal Capital Development Authority with effect from 9th February 1993 and rose through the ranks to his present position of Director, Legal Services from August, 2023.
Brief History
The Department of Legal Services, FCDA was established as part of the administration of the FCDA at inception of the Territory’s Administration in 1979. In 2008, the Department ceased to exist due to the establishment of Legal Services Secretariat. During this period, all legal matters concerning FCDA were handled from the Legal Services Secretariat until 2018 when a substantive Director was posted to take charge of FCDA’s legal matters and the Department was resuscitated.
Since its re-creation in 2018, the Department has had four Directors, namely: Late Abdullahi E. Kuyanbana, Esq. (2018-2021), Timothy P. Manjuk, Esq. (January, 2022 – December, 2022), Isah Bin Abdullahi, Esq. (January, 2023-August, 2023) and Yakubu Abubakar, Esq. (August, 2023 till date), all on posting from the Legal Services Secretariat. An Assistant Director, also posted from the Legal Services Secretariat and supported by a team of 9 other lawyers and 7 administrative staff, assist the Director.
The lawyers in the Department are in two categories: those posted from the Legal Services Secretariat and those directly employed by the Authority in 2020 or thereabout. The former includes the lawyers in Director’s Cadre while the latter category consists of 9 lawyers.
Mandate
Functions
a) Drafting of Contract Agreements.
b) Participation in the functions of Committees of all Departments of the FCDA.
c) Proffering legal advice on sundry matters across the FCDA.
d) Litigation matters.
e) Defending the Authority on matters of Enforcement of judgment/Garnishee Orders.
f) Coordination and monitoring of Arbitration, mediation and conciliation proceedings affecting the Authority.
Structure
Legal Department is one with Director as the lead,
Deputy Director
Assistant Director
Team of Lawyers
Administrative Staff
Vision and Mission
Vision : To be a dynamic and vibrant Legal services Department, manned by efficient and dedicated lawyers, guaranteeing quality legal services to achieve the set goals for the Federal Capital Territory.
Mission : Committed to the delivery of Quality legal services and ensuring that the Authority follows due process of law in the discharge of its functions in order to achieve a robust development of the Federal Capital Territory.
Achievements
The Department has recorded successes in the following areas:
i. Drafting of the Guidelines and Regulations for The Issuance of Clearance Permit for Mining/Quarry Activities in the FCT.
ii. Review of the Abuja Gas Policy Guidelines.
iii. Review of Telecommunication Lease Agreements.
iv. Review of FCDA Mass Housing Lease Development Agreements.
v. Centenary City Project…
vi. Qatar Foundation Agreement.
Contact
Federal Capital Development Authority Headquarters
Peace Drive, Area 11, Garki,
Abuja, Nigeria.
Unit Email: legal@fcda.gov.ng
Head of Unit: abubakar.yakubu@fcda.gov.ng
Past Heads
Abdullahi E. Kuyanbana, Esq (2018 – 2021)
Timothy P. Manjuk, Esq. (January, 2022- December, 2022)
Isah Bin Abdullahi. Esq. (January, 2023 – August, 2023).