- Safiu Kehinde
In the wake of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) takeover of over 4,500 properties, including the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Headquarters, President Bola Tinubu has intervened, giving the defaulters a 14-day ultimatum to settle their debts.
NPO Reported that the FCTA officials had yesterday stormed several establishments which also includes the two Federal Inland Revenue Service’s (FIRS) offices and a branch of Access Bank amongst others, sealing them off over unpaid ground rent with some, like the PDP, allegedly owing for 28 years.
This had sparked outrage by some of the affected establishments.
Describing the development as embarrassing, the FIRS had in reaction in a statement issued on Monday evening claimed to have paid all outstanding rents.
The PDP on the other had after its National Caucus Meeting condemned the sealing of its secretariat, labelling it as an alleged attempt by the Federal Government to mar democracy.
However, the FCTA Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwowze, would in a statement issued on Monday evening disclosed Tinubu’s intervention over the development.
According to the Chijioke, the President’s intervention resulted to the issuance of the 14-day ultimatum for all affected properties to settle their outstanding ground rents and associated penalties.
The FCTA official stated that defaulters with properties in the Central Are are to pay N5 million penalty in addition to the ground dent owed while those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts were charged N3 million penalty.
Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II were fined N2 million in addition to the rent owed.
Meanwhile, Chijioke disclosed the extension of the 14 days ultimatum by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, 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 statement read in part; “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.
“However, 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.
“Also, 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.
“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 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.
“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 at and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.”