The revocation, announced by Lere Olayinka, media aide to Mr Wike, follows a protracted period of non-compliance with payment directives. According to Olayinka, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) initially issued a two-week ultimatum in October 2024 to 3,273 land allottees to settle their outstanding bills or risk losing their rights.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked land allocations belonging to several high-profile individuals, including the governors of Bayelsa and Imo States, Senator Douye Diri and Senator Hope Uzodimma, due to unpaid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) fees.
Other prominent figures affected by the decision include Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The revocation, announced by Lere Olayinka, media aide to Mr Wike, follows a protracted period of non-compliance with payment directives. According to Olayinka, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) initially issued a two-week ultimatum in October 2024 to 3,273 land allottees to settle their outstanding bills or risk losing their rights. While 2,511 individuals complied, 762 defaulters were granted an additional two-week extension. By January 15, 2025, only 194 of these defaulters paid, leaving 568 still in violation.
The FCTA stated that the withdrawal of Rights of Occupancy (R of O) was carried out in line with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978. This legal provision allows the government to revoke land allocations when allottees fail to meet the terms of their grants, including financial obligations.
Affected High-Profile Individuals
The following notable figures were named among the 568 defaulters who lost their land allocations:
- Senator Douye Diri (Governor of Bayelsa State)
- Senator Hope Uzodimma (Governor of Imo State)
- Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP National Secretary)
- Chimaroke Nnamani (Former Enugu State Governor)
- Abba Moro (Senate Minority Leader)
- Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (Chairperson, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission)
- Hon. Oluwole Oke (Federal Lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency)
FCTA’s Position
In a public notice, the FCTA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing compliance, stating:
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) wishes to inform the allottee(s)/title holder(s) of plot(s) of land in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) bills after the expiration of the grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory, that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has 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.”
The decision underscores the FCTA’s efforts to ensure compliance with land allocation terms and recover revenue.
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