Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the ownership of 762 plots of land in Abuja’s Maitama 1 District due to non-payment of statutory fees, SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
The land allocation revocation affected high-profile individuals including former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Additionally, the FCTA has given a two-week ultimatum to 614 individuals and organisations to settle outstanding Rights of Occupancy fees or risk losing their plots.
“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payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn,” the FCTA notice stated.
The action was taken under Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which grants the minister the authority to revoke rights of occupancy due to non-payment or breach of allocation terms.
The list of affected individuals includes the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and former governors Rochas Okorocha and Ben Ayade.
Serving lawmakers such as Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen are also impacted.
Wike, who assumed office in August 2023, has consistently emphasised his commitment to enforcing order in Abuja’s land administration.
“When we make the right decision, some people will be happy, and some will not,” he said during an earlier revocation exercise.
“The rich will kick against some of our decisions, but anything that will help our people must be done,” he said.
In addition to revoking plots for unpaid fees, the minister previously targeted undeveloped lands. In September, he revoked 165 undeveloped plots, including those linked to prominent figures such as Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
“We are prioritising the public good. These reforms may not favour everyone, especially the elite, but they are necessary to restore accountability and fairness in land allocation,” Wike stated at the time.
