The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given owners of 762 plots of land in the Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, a renewed two-week ultimatum to settle payment for their Certificates of Occupancy.
Failure to do so will result in the final revocation of their allocations.
In a statement issued on Friday by Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the FCT Minister, it was emphasized that the government’s main interest was not to seize land but to ensure that payments are made.
The minister warned that after January 3, 2025, no further extensions would be granted, and the withdrawal of Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles would begin for those who have failed to pay.
On October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees who had yet to pay for their C-of-O was published, and they were given two weeks to pay or risk losing their R-of-O titles. Of these, 2,511 complied with the payment deadline, leaving 762 defaulters. A notice to withdraw the R-of-O titles from the remaining 762 allottees was published on Wednesday.
Since the publication of the withdrawal notice, many of the affected allottees have expressed their intent to make payments. In response, the government has decided to extend a two-week grace period, giving the remaining 762 defaulters, as well as 614 other allottees with outstanding payments, until January 3, 2025, to settle their bills or face the revocation of their R-of-O titles, as stipulated in Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“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, a 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-week 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the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, under the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.”
