Minister revokes 568 land allocations in Abuja, affecting governors and senators for failing to meet payment deadlines
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocations of 568 individuals, including prominent political figures, for failing to pay their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills within the stipulated grace period.
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The affected plots are located in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja.
Among those impacted by the minister’s directive are governors Senator Diri Douye of Bayelsa State and Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The decision also affects other notable figures, such as former Governor of Enugu State Chimaroke Nnamani, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
The revocation stems from a failure to meet payment obligations despite multiple extensions. Initially, 3,273 allottees were notified in October 2024 to pay their C-of-O bills within two weeks or risk losing their Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O). While 2,511 complied, 762 failed to meet the deadline.
A further two-week grace period saw only 194 additional payments, leaving 568 defaulters.
Lere Olayinka, the minister’s media aide, clarified that the decision to revoke the R-of-O was in line with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which allows such action when terms of the grant are violated.
The FCT Administration (FCTA) emphasised that only those who completed their payments by 15 January 2025 are exempt from this action.
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The official Notice of Withdrawal stated: “The Federal Capital Territory Administration 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of Occupancy bills after the expiration of the grace period that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn.”
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
