The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked 762 plots of land in Abuja, including those allocated to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, and several corporate organizations.
The revocation was due to the failure to pay for the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) of the properties.
According to reports, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) disclosed in public notices that the affected plots are situated in the upscale Maitama 1 District of the federal capital.
Wike also issued a warning that the Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) of 614 additional individuals and companies would be withdrawn if they failed to settle outstanding payments for their plots within two weeks.
Prominent individuals affected by the revocation include former governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo State), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara), Ahmad Sani (Zamfara), and Kabiru Gaya (Kano).
The list also includes current and former federal lawmakers such as Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abdul Ningi, Sunday Karimi, Abdulfatai Buhari, Dino Melaye, Barnabas Gemade, Shehu Sani, Adeyemi Adaramodu, Abba Moro, Danjuma La’ah, and Abdulmumin Jibrin.
Others whose plots were affected include Agom Jarigbe, Obinna Chidoka, Nicholas Mutu, Dan Reneiju, Ezenwa Oyewuchi, Chinyere Igwe, David Umaru, Oluwole Oke, and Oker Jev.
The notice said, “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 after the expiration of grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property have been withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978 for contravention of the terms of grant which obligated the title/interest holders to settle all bills.
“Section 28 of the Land Use Act, to which the FCTA notice referred, stipulates how landed properties vested in individuals can be revoked by authorities. Subsection Five (5) empowers state governors (the Minister of the FCT in the case of Abuja) to revoke a statutory right of occupancy on the ground of-
(a) a breach of any of the provisions which a certificate of occupancy is by section 10 of this Act deemed to contain;
(b) a breach of any term contained in the certificate of occupancy or in any special contract made under section 8 of this Act.
“The non-payment of statutory fees by landowners are considered violations for which allocated plots can be revoked.”
According to Premium Times, the list of former and current lawmakers affected includes the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin; and others such as Nnenna Ukeje, Obinna Chidoka, Dapo Lam-Adesina, Leo Ogor, Francis Alimkhena, Smart Adeyemi, and Lynda Ikpeazu.
Additional names on the list include Andy Uba, Biodun Olujimi, Agom Jarigbe, Kingsley Chinda, and Ben Obi.
Also facing the threat of revocation are former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu, former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah, and the current Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dennis Idahosa.
Notably, Sam Egwu is a former Minister of Education and a serving senator, while Stella Oduah, who represented Anambra North in the Senate, also held a ministerial position in aviation.
The notice added, “The Federal Capital Territory Administration hereby informs the general public, particularly allotee (s)/title holder (s) of land in the Maitama 1 District of the FCT who have since made payment of their outstanding Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills to as a matter of urgency pay the balance of their bills within two weeks from the date of this publication or have their Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles withdrawn.”
