Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has revoked the land allocations of 568 individuals in Maitama II, Abuja, due to their failure to pay Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees. This information was shared by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka.
Among those affected are notable figures such as Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. Others include Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party; former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke NnamaThe Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has officially revoked the Right of Occupancy for land allottees in Maitama II, Abuja, who failed to pay their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees within the designated grace period. This decision is in accordance with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which permits the withdrawal of land rights for non-compliance with grant terms.
The FCTA stated that landowners who settled their payments by the January 15 deadline are exempt from this revocation. This recent action follows an October 2024 announcement listing 3,273 titleholders in Maitama II with unpaid C-of-O bills, of which 2,511 complied by making their payments, while 762 did not.
In December 2024, Minister Wike issued a two-week ultimatum to the 762 defaulters, warning that failure to pay their outstanding bills would result in final revocation of their land rights.ni; Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro; and lawmaker Oluwole Oke. Olayinka explained that the Federal Capital Territory Administration noted that the affected landowners failed to meet payment obligations after a grace period granted by the minister expired. However, those who pay their C-of-O bills by January 15, 2025, will avoid revocation.