FEDERAL Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) land title in the Central Area of Abuja was revoked because the party is owing N7.6 million ground rent from 2006 to 2025.
The FCTA Director of Land, Mr Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing newsmen after the FCT Executive Committee meeting, chaired by the Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
Nwankwoeze also dismissed PDP’s claim that two of their properties were revoked, the one in Wuse Zone 5 currently occupying its national headquarters and the one in the central area.
He said that only the land title in the central area belonging to PDP was revoked, adding that the one in Wuse Zone 5 does not belong to it.
“The land in Wuse Zone 5 which currently occupies its national headquarters does not belong to PDP.
“It belongs to one Mr Samaila Ofi, and the revocation notice had been served on him in his Kaduna address, the address on our record.
“We did not serve any such notice to the PDP. The only one we served on them was the one in the central area.
“You don’t serve revocation notice on a tenant or an occupier; you serve on the title holder,” he said.
Nwankwoeze explained that Ofi bought the property from Wadata and got his papers registered by way of assignment, adding that the property was owing a 28-year ground rent amounting to N2.85 million.
He stated that a total of 4,794 land titles had been revoked by the FCT minister, adding that PDP was just one of them.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wike has approved revocation of 4,794 land titles over unpaid ground rents for more than 10 years.
Mr Lere Olayink,a Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the minister, had announced the revocation at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.
Olayinka said that 8,375 property owners owed a total of N6.97 billion as ground rents as at the end of 2024.
FCTA To Take Possession Of Properties On Revoked Titles
Meanwhile Mr Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says the administration will take possession of properties built on 4,794 land titles revoked for unpaid ground rent in due course.
Nwankwoeze stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, after the FCT Executive Committee meeting, chaired by the minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the FCTA on Monday, announced Wike’s approval for the revocation of 4,794 land titles over unpaid ground rent for more than 10 years.
Mr Lere Olayinka Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the minister, said at a news conference that a total of 8,375 property owners owed N6.97 billion as ground rent.
Nwankwoeze said that so many people were affected, including government institutions, private organisations and private individuals.
He identified some of the affected organisations as the Nigerian Port Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria, Independent Electoral Commission, National Universities Commission and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.
Others are Corn Oil, Boron Government, Niger Delta Development Commission, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Federal Minister of Environment. Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company among others.
According to him, the properties of the 4,794 revoked titles have reverted to the FCTA “and in due course, the administration will take possession of them.”
He, however, said there might be a window for the affected land title owners to appeal to the minister for reconsideration.
“Anybody or any organisation, whose title is revoked by the minister has a window to approach the minister or write to him, appealing for reinstatement of such title.
“The minister will look at it. If he wishes to reinstate the titles, he will; if there are conditions that will be attached to such reinstatement, if he considers it fit, he will.
“Then, if he decides not to reinstate, so be it, because warnings have been sent out in the past and people refuse to comply,” he said.
Nwankwoeze further said that appealing for reinstatement was the best thing for the affected title holders to do and desists from resorting to blackmail.
According to him, most of the revoked titles are located in the 10 oldest districts in Phase I, fully serviced with the engineering infrastructure and other services.
“So, if the government has fulfilled its part of the obligation by providing those facilities and amenities, you, a land title holder, is not doing your own part of the bargain, it will be difficult for the city to be managed.
“So, we implore everyone who has not paid the ground rent to do so, including land title holders in Phase II comprised of Gudu, Utako, Mabushi, Jabi, Daki-biyu, Katampe, Katampe Extension and Kado Districts among others.” (NAN)
