Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stepped back on his earlier tough stand to revoke the 762 plots of land owned by some prominent individuals in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Consequently, he has given the plots owners a two-week grace period to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocations.
In a public notice published on Thursday, December 19, 2024, the FCT Administration had revoked the land titles belonging to Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation owned by immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abass; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and others for failing to pay or settle outstanding balances for their C-of-Os.
But in a sharp twist of event about 24 hours later, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, quoted him as saying that the primary interest was not to revoke the lands, adding that government is only interested in ensuring the owners make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read in part; “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
“Yesterday (Thursday), notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.”
However, the statement warned that; “After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”
