
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has withdrawn Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) from 568 plot allottees and title holders in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja. The action, effective January 15, 2025, follows the failure of the affected individuals to settle their outstanding land bills despite a grace period granted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The FCTA, in a public announcement on Thursday, emphasized that the withdrawal complies with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which authorizes the government to revoke land rights for non-compliance with the terms of allocation. Individuals who paid their dues by the January 15 deadline are exempted from the revocation.
The list of defaulters reads like a who’s who of Nigerian politics, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, Governors Duoye Diri (Bayelsa) and Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Senator Shehu Sani, former governor Chimaroke Nnamani, PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Senate Minority Leader Abba Patrick Moro.
Others affected include former governor Ben Ayade, former minister of sports John Owan Eno, and notable figures such as Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu, Regina Akume, Emmanuel Yisa Orkar Jev, and many more.
The FCTA stressed that this decisive action highlights its commitment to enforcing compliance and ensuring accountability in land administration within the Federal Capital Territory. It hopes the revocation will deter defaulters while creating opportunities for other developers or residents to access reclaimed plots.
The administration also warned the public against engaging in transactions involving the affected properties and urged stakeholders to meet their obligations to avoid similar punitive measures in the future.