Wike issues final warning to landowners over revocation

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom WikeThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the 762 landowners in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, to settle their outstanding payments for Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).

The landowners have until 3 January 2025 to comply, or their land titles will be permanently revoked.

This fresh warning comes amidst heightened scrutiny of the FCTA’s land administration processes following the controversial revocation of lands belonging to prominent individuals.

Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, in a statement explained that the government’s objective was not to dispossess people of their lands but to ensure compliance with payment obligations.

“The primary interest is not for people to lose their lands but to get them to make necessary payments to the government,” Wike stated.

The FCTA published a list of 3,273 allottees in October 2024, urging them to pay their outstanding C-of-O fees within two weeks. While 2,511 complied, 762 landowners remained non-compliant, leading to this final ultimatum.

“An additional two-week grace period has been granted. After 3 January 2025, no further extensions will be considered, and withdrawals of the Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles will be final,” FCTA said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and former President Muhammadu Buhari were among those whose allocations were withdrawn for alleged non-payment.

However, Speaker Abbas recently refuted these claims, describing his inclusion in the list of defaulters as an error, and criticised the FCTA for its procedural lapses.

Among those who could be affected by the land revocation are; The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda; former presidents of the Senate, Iyorchia Ayu and Ameh Ebute and the Chief Whip of the Senate, Tahir Mongun.

The FCT minister reiterated that this ultimatum is final and urged all affected landowners to settle their payments promptly to avoid losing their allocations permanently.