FCT Minister Wike Revokes 762 Land Plots in Abuja, Issues Warning to 614 Others
High-Profile Nigerians Including Former President Buhari's Foundation Affected by Mass Revocation
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the Certificates of Occupancy for 762 plots of land in Abuja’s prestigious Maitama 1 District. The minister has also issued a two-week ultimatum to 614 additional property owners to clear their outstanding bills or face similar revocation.
The sweeping action affects numerous prominent Nigerians and organizations, including the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation, former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.
Several former governors are among those whose certificates were revoked: 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. Current Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani was also affected by the revocation.
The list extends to numerous federal lawmakers, both past and present, including Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abdul Ningi, Sunday Karimi, Abdulfatai Buhari, Dino Melaye, Barnabas Gemade, and Shehu Sani. Other affected legislators include Agom Jarigbe, Obinna Chidoka, Nicholas Mutu, and Oluwole Oke.
In the second notice targeting 614 property owners, former Senate Presidents Iyorchia Ayu and Ameh Ebute were given final warnings to settle their outstanding bills. The notice also included Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, former Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche, and prominent politicians such as Andy Uba, Biodun Olujimi, and Stella Oduah.
The FCTA’s action is backed by Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which empowers the FCT Minister to revoke statutory rights of occupancy for breaches of certificate terms, including non-payment of statutory fees.
This mass revocation follows Wike’s earlier action in September 2023, when he revoked 165 plots belonging to other notable Nigerians, including presidential candidate Peter Obi and various corporate entities, for failure to develop the lands.
The minister has maintained his stance on reforming the territory’s land administration, stating he “would not mind hurting the rich” to ensure public good. Wike has also standardized the cost of obtaining Certificates of Occupancy at N5 million, with a four-month payment window.
The FCTA’s notices emphasized that affected landowners who have already made partial payments must clear their outstanding balances within two weeks of the publication or risk withdrawal of their Rights of Occupancy titles.
These actions represent the latest in Wike’s aggressive reforms of the FCT’s land administration system since assuming office in August 2023, aimed at addressing multiple allocations and ensuring compliance with land use regulations in the federal capital.
