National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the ownership of 762 plots of land in the upscale Maitama district of Abuja due to non-payment of statutory fees.
According to public notices issued by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday, the affected individuals and groups failed to pay their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees for the confiscated plots.
Notable individuals impacted by the revocation include former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.
The FCTA also issued a stern warning to 614 other individuals and organizations, threatening to revoke their Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) if they fail to settle outstanding bills within two weeks.
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the allottee(s)/title holder(s) of plots of land in Maitama 1 who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn,” the FCTA notice read.
This decision was made under Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which authorizes the minister to revoke rights of occupancy for non-payment or breach of allocation terms.
The list of revoked allocations includes the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation owned by former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and his wife Regina, as well as Kaduna Governor Uba Sani.
Other notable figures include Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Chibudom Nwuche, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, former House of Representatives member Nnenna Ukeje, and former senators Andy Uba and Smart Adeyemi.
Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has prioritized restoring order in Abuja’s land administration.
Speaking about a similar revocation exercise, he remarked, “When we make the right decision, some people will be happy, and some will not.”
