Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked 762 plots of land in Abuja’s affluent Maitama 1 District due to non-payment of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).
The affected plots are owned by prominent Nigerians, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, former governors Rochas Okorocha, Ben Ayade, Seriake Dickson, and former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen.
Additionally, former and current federal lawmakers such as Dino Melaye, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Abdul Ningi also had their land titles revoked.
The revocations followed a failure by the landowners to settle outstanding bills for their Certificates of Occupancy after an extended grace period.
Wike has given a two-week ultimatum to 614 other individuals and organizations, urging them to pay their outstanding fees or risk the loss of their Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O).
The Federal Capital Territory Administration confirmed that the revocations were in accordance with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which mandates the withdrawal of land titles for non-compliance with payment terms.
The notice said, “The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the allottee (s)/title holder (s) of plots of land in Maitama 1 who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills after the expiration of grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property have been withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978 for contravention of the terms of grant which obligated the title/interest holders to settle all bills.”
