The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it will begin taking ownership of 4,793 landed properties, including the headquarters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following revocation of titles over non-payment of ground rent spanning up to 43 years
The exercise is scheduled to commence on Monday, May 26, 2025, and affects prime districts such as the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape.
Officials who disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday included the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka; Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze; and Director of the Department of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima.
According to the officials, the FCTA will enforce the revocation without regard for ownership, as stipulated by law.
“Ownership of the revoked properties has reverted to the government, and we will now begin to exercise our legal rights. This process will be in full accordance with existing laws and regulations,” said Nwankwoeze.
Galadima added that affected properties would be sealed and access restricted, pending further government decisions on their use.
Responding to concerns about pending litigation, the Director of Lands confirmed there were no court injunctions stopping the revocation process.
The revocation, announced earlier in March, followed a comprehensive audit of titleholders who failed to meet ground rent obligations for between one and 43 years.
Of the 8,375 defaulting properties identified across Phase 1 districts of the Federal Capital City, 4,794 were found to be in arrears exceeding a decade.
The PDP national secretariat, situated in Abuja, was among the properties listed, having defaulted for several years.
The FCTA disclosed that over N6.9 billion was owed in ground rent by the defaulting titleholders, in violation of the terms under the Land Use Act, particularly Section 28 (5a & b), which empowers the government to revoke titles for non-compliance.
Authorities say a 21-day grace period earlier given to owners in default for one to ten years has elapsed, and defaulters who failed to comply face similar revocation actions. Compilation of compliance reports is ongoing.
The FCTA reiterated that payment of ground rent is a statutory obligation tied to the Right of Occupancy and is due on January 1st annually, without demand.
The development marks a significant step in the FCTA’s enforcement of land administration laws, with implications for both private owners and political institutions failing to meet their statutory obligations.
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