20241203 191742

Wike Revokes 568 FCT Lands Over Unpaid C-of-O Bills

Kehinde Fajobi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked land allocations belonging to 568 individuals in Maitama II, Abuja, due to unpaid Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.

This decision was disclosed on Thursday by Wikeโ€™s media aide, Lere Olayinka.

Among the affected are prominent figures, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

Other notable names include Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party; former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani; Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro; and Oluwole Oke, a House of Representatives member.

Olayinka explained that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued notices to the affected landowners, accusing them of failing to meet payment obligations despite being given a grace period.

The FCTA stated, โ€œThe Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform allottees of plots in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, who failed to make payments for their Certificate of Occupancy bills within the stipulated grace period, that their Right of Occupancy has been revoked.

โ€œThis action is pursuant to Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which allows for the withdrawal of land rights in cases of contravention of grant terms, including the obligation to settle bills.โ€

The FCTA clarified that those who completed payments before the January 15, 2025, deadline are exempt from the revocation.

The development follows an earlier notice in October 2024, listing 3,273 titleholders in Maitama II with outstanding C-of-O bills. Of these, 2,511 complied, while 762 defaulted.

In December 2024, Wike issued a final two-week ultimatum to the defaulters, warning them to clear their dues or face revocation.