Wike revokes land allocations to Buhari, Abbas, Onnoghen, others over non-payment of fees

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the ownership of lands allocated to prominent Nigerians, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Others who lost their C-of-O include Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, his wife, Regina; and Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna.

The former Rivers governor took the decision over the non-payment of statutory fees of 762 plots of land in the highbrow Maitama district of Abuja.

According to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the affected individuals failed to pay the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees.

In a public notice issued on Thursday, the FCTA further issued a two-week ultimatum to 614 other individuals and companies to pay their outstanding bills or lose their rights of occupancy (R-of-O).

“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payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn,” the FCTA notice stated.

This action was taken under Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which empowers the minister to revoke rights of occupancy for non-compliance with payment obligations or breach of other allocation terms.

Former and serving lawmakers on the list include senate chief whip, Tahir Monguno; former deputy speaker of the house of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; former senate leader, Teslim Folarin; former House of representatives member, Nnenna Ukeje; Andy Uba and Smart Adeyemi, both former senators.