The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked land titles belonging to several prominent individuals and organizations, including the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation, former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. The revocation was announced on Thursday as part of a broader crackdown on unpaid statutory fees for land allocations in the FCT.
The FCT Administration (FCTA) cited Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which empowers the Minister to withdraw land rights for non-compliance with financial obligations, as the basis for the action.
In a public notice, the FCTA stated, “The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the allottee(s)/title holder(s) of plots of land in Maitama 1 who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy bills that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn.”
The revocation affected 762 plots of land in Maitama District, with owners accused of failing to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O). The FCTA also issued warnings to 614 other individuals and entities, giving them two weeks to settle their outstanding bills or face similar action.
Among the high-profile individuals affected are former President Muhammadu Buhari’s foundation, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. Other notable names include Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, former Senators Andy Uba and Smart Adeyemi, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Chibudom Nwuche.
In response to the revocation, Garba Shehu, spokesperson for Muhammadu Buhari, clarified that the former President is not the owner of the land in question.
“The [former] President is personally not the owner of the said plot of land, which is allocated in the name of ‘Muhammadu Buhari Foundation,’” Shehu stated.
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Shehu explained that the foundation was created by well-meaning individuals to support philanthropic efforts but encountered challenges with the FCTA’s land department. He alleged that the department imposed an exorbitant bill for the issuance of the C-of-O, which he described as either an error or a deliberate act.
“There is a lot of buzz in the media on the reported seizure of a piece of land allegedly belonging to former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Foundation ran into a roadblock in the land department of the FCDA, which handed them an outrageous bill for the issuance of the certificate of occupancy,” Shehu added.
The FCTA emphasized its commitment to enforcing compliance with land-use regulations, noting that non-payment of statutory fees undermines the administration’s efforts to manage the capital’s resources effectively.
The notice serves as a warning to other landowners in the FCT to meet their financial obligations promptly. Wike’s recent actions signal his administration’s intent to address irregularities in land allocations and ensure adherence to legal requirements.