By Kolawole Ojebisi
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Federal Inland Revenues Service (FIRS), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other organisations and agencies purportedly owning the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) accumulated ground rents can now heave a momentary sigh of relief.
This is President Bola Tinubu intervened on the the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-led ongoing enforcement action, granting a 14-day grace period to affected property holders to settle their outstanding obligations.
The Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, disclosed the development at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday evening.
Nwankwoeze, however, noted that the defaulters will pay penalty fees of N2m and N3m respectively, depending on the location.
“Today, May 26, 2025, we commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years. Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected. This demonstrates the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.
“The President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (two weeks) to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties.”
“For properties in the Central Area, the sum of N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed. Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay the sum of N3 million as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed. Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty in addition to the Ground Rent owed,” he stated.
Nwakwoeze also addressed issues surrounding unregistered property transfers, urging those who had purchased properties to register interest in ownership by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment within the next two weeks.
“All those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (two weeks) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.”
Speaking further, Nwankwoeze stated that Wike has urged persons yet to pay their Rights of Occupancy bills to do so within the next two weeks or risk revocation of their titles.
“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has granted a 14 days (two weeks) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles..”
The Director also warned that, “Going forward, the Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.”
Nigerians, on Monday, woke up to hear that the FCTA had started sealing off premises of organisations and agencies owning ground rents for years.
Among those affected by the enforcement included the national headquarters of the PDP, FIRS and NAPTIP.
The FCTA claimed that over 4,794 properties will be affected by the move prompted by non-payment of ground rent spanning between 10 and 43 years.
Meanwhile, the FIRS has lambasted the FCTA for including it among ground rent defaulters, stressing that it is not owning the FCTA having settled its obligatory dues till 2023.
The FIRS warned the FCTA against using the organization as a scapegoat.
