The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) for several plots of land in the Maitama area of Abuja, including those belonging to Speaker Abbas and Uzodinma.
According to the Minister, the decision decision was made due to the failure of the plot owners to pay their C-of-O fees despite the expiration of a grace period granted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and takes effect January 15, 2025.
The revocation affects a total of 762 plots of land, with Wike threatening to take further action against those who fail to comply with the payment requirements.
According to a public announcement by the FCTA on Thursday, the withdrawal is in line with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which empowers the government to revoke land rights for contraventions of the terms of the grant.
The FCTA clarified that individuals who completed their payments on or before the January 15, 2025, deadline are not affected by this decision.
A list of 568 individuals whose titles have been withdrawn accompanied the announcement and it includes well-known politicians and public figures.
Among them are Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, Governors Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), and Hope Uzodinma (Imo); current Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha; Senator Shehu Sani, former governor Chimaroke Nnamani, Ango Dahiru Abdulahi, PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Patrick Moro.
Others are Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu, Regina Mbavekom Akume, Emmanuel Yisa Orkar Jev, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Nicholas Ebomo Mutu, Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama, Matthew Aisagbonriodion, Udenta Onuama Udenta, Dennis Nnamdi Agbo, Gilbert Emeka Nnaji, and Benjamin Chukwuemeka Uwajumogu, Bala Alh Bawa Kaoje, Jagaba Adams Jagaba
Shehu Sani, Danjuma Tellah La’ah, former governor Ben Bengioushuye Ayade and former minister of Sports, John Owan Eno.
The FCTA emphasized that the action underscores its commitment to enforcing compliance with the terms of land allocations and ensuring accountability in the administration of land resources in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Maitama II area is a high-value real estate zone in Abuja.
The FCTA is hoping that the withdrawal of land rights will send a strong message to defaulters while potentially opening opportunities for other developers or residents to access the reclaimed properties.
The administration called on the general public to take note of the revocation and warned against transactions involving the affected plots.
It urged stakeholders to meet their obligations promptly to avoid similar actions in the future
