President Bola Tinubu has intervened to halt the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) ongoing property seizures due to unpaid ground rent, following widespread public outcry.
On Monday, FCTA officials commenced enforcement actions by sealing off numerous properties across Abuja, including buildings reportedly owned by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The move triggered swift criticism and concerns over due process.
In response, President Tinubu ordered a temporary suspension of the enforcement and granted a 14-day grace period for affected property owners to settle their outstanding ground rent obligations.
A statement issued by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration in the FCT, confirmed the President’s directive.
According to the statement, the FCTA had earlier begun enforcement on 4,794 properties revoked over non-payment of ground rent spanning between 10 and 43 years.
“Today, May 26, 2025, we commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years.”
“Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected. This demonstrates the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.”
“However, the President, Bola Tinubu, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties.
“For properties in the Central Area, the sum of N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.”
Under the revised directive, defaulters in the Central Area are required to pay a N5 million penalty in addition to outstanding rent. Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape will pay N3 million, while properties in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II will attract a N2 million penalty.
Additionally, property owners who have acquired land without proper documentation—specifically the Minister’s Consent and Deed of Assignment registration—have also been given 14 days to regularise their titles.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, also extended the grace period to all property holders, urging them to pay outstanding Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills or risk revocation.
“Also, all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.”
“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has granted a 14 days (TWO WEEKS) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles.”
“Going forward, the Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as at and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people,” the statement read.
Going forward, the Minister advised all property owners in the FCT to ensure timely payment of all statutory dues to support continued infrastructural development in the capital city.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the leadership of the FCTA, under Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, sealed the premises of the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over unpaid ground rent.
On Monday afternoon, a group of FCTA staff locked the entrance gate of Wadata Plaza, the PDP’s national secretariat located in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Ground rent is a yearly fee landowners pay for the right to occupy and use their land.
It would be recalled that in March 2025, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), revoked 4,794 land titles in the country’s capital.
The decision was reached over alleged non-payment of ground rents.
Speaking earlier at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, noted that the FCTA would seal up the affected properties on Monday (today).
