The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a fresh two-week ultimatum to the owners of 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, to complete payment for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or face the risk of losing their allocations permanently.
This directive was disclosed in a statement released today by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka.
According to the minister, the government’s primary objective is not to revoke the allocations but to ensure that landowners fulfill their financial obligations.
“The focus is on getting individuals to make the necessary payments to the government
“It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published.
They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles.
Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762,” the statement read.
“Yesterday, a notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published. Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two-week grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025, to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“After January 3, 2025, no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”
This fresh ultimatum comes a day after Wike revoked lands belonging to former President Muhammed Buhari, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Also, 759 other prominent figures and organisations in Maitama II, Abuja. were also affected by the revocation which was for non-payment of Certificate of Occupancy.
The minister also threatened to revoke lands belonging to the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda; former presidents of the Senate, Iyorchia Ayu and Ameh Ebute; the Chief Whip of the Senate, Tahir Monguno; and 610 others for outstanding fees owed to the FCTA for certificate of occupancy not paid within two weeks.
This revocation by the minister comes months after he made several pleas to residents of the FCT, particularly those residing in hybrid areas of the nation’s capital, to pay outstanding fees owed to the FCTA or risk revocation of their lands.
