National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given owners of 762 plots of land in Abuja a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk losing their land allocations. This comes after the FCT Administration revoked land titles belonging to several high-profile individuals, including former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajuddeen Abass, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, for failing to pay their C-of-O fees.
According to Wike’s Senior Special Assistant, Lere Olayinka, the government’s primary goal is not to revoke the lands but to ensure owners make necessary payments. The affected allottees were initially given two weeks to pay their bills, but after many offered to pay, a two-week grace period was granted.
The 762 allottees, along with 614 others with outstanding payments, have until January 3, 2025, to pay or risk having their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles withdrawn. As stated, “Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.” After this date, no further extensions will be granted, and the withdrawal of R-of-O titles will be final.
