FCT Minister Nyesom Wike orders revocation of 1,095 properties in Abuja for non-payment of ground rent and land use conversion fees, affecting prominent Nigerians, government entities, and banks

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced the revocation of 1,095 landed properties in Abuja due to failure to pay ground rent and land use conversion fees.

Also read: Wike: PDP bites the bullet

The directive comes from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, emphasizing strict enforcement of the Land Use Act.

The affected properties belong to high-profile individuals, government bodies, private organisations, and faith-based institutions.

Notable Nigerians on the list include former First Lady Patience Jonathan, former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma, former Chief of Army Staff Ishaya Bamaiyi, ambassador-nominee Kayode Are, and Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The public notice, released by Wike’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, is titled “Commencement of enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C-of-O bills.”

It specifies that 835 individuals and organisations defaulted on ground rent, while 260 failed to pay land use conversion and violation fees, contravening Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.

Other prominent figures affected include serving Minister of State John Enoh, Emir of Ilorin Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, former PDP national chairmen Uche Secondus and Abubakar Baraje, and former governors such as Abdullahi Ganduje, Sule Lamido, Ayo Fayose, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Donald Duke, Niyi Adebayo, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Aliyu Wamakko, and Gado Nasko. Deceased individuals such as Bashir Tofa, Tony Anenih, Adamu Ciroma, and others are also on the list.

Federal government entities impacted include the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Ministries of Finance and Environment, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and other agencies.

State government properties in Oyo, Borno, and Kaduna are also affected, alongside major banks including Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank, EcoBank, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, and defunct Diamond Bank. The Catholic Church is among faith-based institutions listed.

Also read: Wike warns against pushing Jonathan’s 2027 presidential bid

Minister Wike warned that there will be no further extension of the 14-day grace period provided, stating that defaulters risk losing their properties if they fail to comply.