FCTA Threatens To Revoke Land Rights Of Akume, Gbajabiamila, Buhari

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning to prominent individuals and corporate organizations in Abuja, threatening to revoke their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) if they fail to settle outstanding payments for their land allocations. This notice, which primarily affects landowners in the Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10 of Abuja, gives the affected parties a two-week grace period to clear their dues or risk losing their property rights.

The FCTA, through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), cited ongoing infrastructural development within Maitama II as the driving force behind this notice. The administration explained that the funds are necessary to support the significant developmental work in the district, and failure to comply with the payment deadlines could lead to severe consequences, including the revocation of the Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and reallocation of the land to other parties.

The official notice, titled “Demand Notice for Payment of Right of Occupancy Bills for Issuance of Certificates of Occupancy on All Lands Allocated at Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja,” was issued to a total of 3,273 allottees. The statement reads: “All allottees who have not paid their bills for the Certificate of Occupancy are hereby advised to settle their bills in full within two (2) weeks from the date of this publication. Failure to pay all outstanding land bills, rents, fees, and charges within the stipulated grace period will result in the withdrawal of the offers of Rights of Occupancy over the said plots of land by the Honourable Minister of the FCT and reallocation of the lands.”

The list of affected landowners includes several high-profile individuals, ranging from political leaders to former government officials. Among the names mentioned are children of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Yusuf Buhari and Zahra Buhari, along with Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, and Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Other notable figures include George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and several current and former ministers, such as the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Sports, John Eno; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, and former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege also appeared on the list.

Former governors named include Theodore Orji, Rochas Okorocha, Ibikunle Amosun, Tanko Al-Makura, Joshua Dariye, Gabriel Suswam, Ibrahim Shekarau, Okezie Ikpeazu, Jonah Jang, Seriake Dickson, Adamu Muazu, and Bukar Abba Ibrahim.

In addition, several serving and former lawmakers are at risk, including Dino Melaye, Kabiru Marafa, Stella Oduah, Danjuma Goje, Ben Bruce, David Umaru, Saliu Mustapha, Biodun Olujimi, and Andy Uba, among others.

The warning from the FCTA underscores its determination to ensure compliance with payment obligations and to use the funds to continue infrastructure development within the Federal Capital Territory. The administration’s ultimatum signals a broader effort to enforce land-use regulations and generate revenue for public projects, but it has also drawn attention due to the influential names on the list.

Failure to meet the payment deadline could lead to far-reaching legal and financial consequences for the affected individuals, many of whom are notable figures in Nigerian politics and public life. The move is expected to spark discussions about land ownership and accountability in Abuja, as the FCTA pushes for stricter enforcement of land rights and financial obligations.