In a bold move, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the revocation of 762 plots of land belonging to prominent individuals and corporate bodies in Abuja. The affected parties failed to pay the required fees for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O), prompting the minister’s decisive action.
Wike, who made the announcement recently, also issued a stern warning to 614 other landowners, including individuals and companies, urging them to settle their outstanding payments. He set a two-week deadline for these defaulters to pay their dues or face similar sanctions. “We are giving a two-week window for the payment of outstanding fees. If the payment is not made within this period, the Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) of these individuals and companies will be revoked,” Wike said in a statement.
Among the high-profile individuals affected by the revocation of their C-of-O are former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation, and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen. Other well-known figures include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, along with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and his wife, Regina.
Several former state governors were also impacted by the order. These include Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Ben Ayade of Cross River, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Shaaba Lafiagi of Kwara, Ahmad Sani of Zamfara, and Kabiru Gaya of Kano. The revocation order sent a strong signal that no one, regardless of status, would be exempt from complying with the law.
The government’s actions also affected prominent members of the Nigerian legislature, including both former and serving federal lawmakers. Among them are Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abdul Ningi, Sunday Karimi, Abdulfatai Buhari, Dino Melaye, Barnabas Gemade, Shehu Sani, Adeyemi Adaramodu, Abba Moro, Danjuma La’ah, and Abdulmumin Jibrin. The wide-reaching impact of this measure highlights the scale of land disputes in the nation’s capital.
The revocation of C-of-O and R-of-O is a legal step that allows the government to reclaim land that has not been paid for or developed as required by the terms of the certificate. Wike stressed that the move was necessary to enforce accountability and ensure that land in the FCT is properly utilized. “We cannot allow individuals or organizations to hold onto land without fulfilling their financial obligations,” he emphasized.
While the decision to revoke land titles has drawn attention, it has also sparked a debate on the fairness and transparency of the process. Critics have questioned the timing and the potential impact on individuals who may be facing financial hardships or bureaucratic delays in processing payments. Some have also raised concerns about the possibility of political motives behind the move.
Supporters of Wike’s action argue that it is a necessary step to curb land speculation and misuse of land allocated in Abuja. “It’s about ensuring that land is used for the benefit of the people, and not as a commodity to be hoarded by a select few,” one supporter stated. They believe that reclaiming unused or unpaid-for land will help address the growing issue of land scarcity in the city.
