The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocations of 568 individuals in Maitama II, Abuja, for failing to settle their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.
This was announced on Thursday by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka. Among those affected are prominent figures such as Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
Other affected individuals include Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Chimaroke Nnamani, former Governor of Enugu State; Abba Moro, Senate Minority Leader; and Oluwole Oke, a member of the House of Representatives representing Obokon/Oriade Federal Constituency.
In a notice issued by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the revocation followed the expiration of a grace period for the defaulters to comply with their payment obligations. According to the FCTA, landowners who cleared their outstanding bills by January 15, 2025, were exempted from the revocation.
The notice stated, “The 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payments for their Certificate of Occupancy bills within the stipulated grace period, that their Right of Occupancy has been revoked.
“This action is under 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.”
The FCTA clarified that 2,511 of the 3,273 listed defaulters in Maitama II complied with the October 2024 directive to settle their debts, while 762 failed to meet the deadline. Following the default, Wike issued a two-week ultimatum in December 2024, warning that final revocation would follow any further noncompliance.
This development underscores Wike’s commitment to enforcing land-use regulations and ensuring compliance with financial obligations within the FCT.
