Ola Akinwunmi
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) of 762 plots of land in Abuja belonging to prominent Nigerians and corporate organizations. This decision was made due to the failure of the landowners to pay for their certificates despite a grace period granted by the Minister.
Those affected include: Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and his wife, Regina, Former Governors Rochas Okorocha, Ben Ayade, Seriake Dickson, Shaaba Lafiagi, Ahmad Sani, and Kabiru Gaya.
Furthermore, 614 other individuals and companies have been given a two-week ultimatum to pay their outstanding bills or risk losing their plots. The plots are located in the high-brow Maitama 1 District of the federal capital.
This move is not the first of its kind, as Wike had earlier revoked the certificates of occupancy of 165 plots in Abuja in September. The Minister has emphasized that the priority of the FCTA is the public good and that he will not hesitate to make decisions that may hurt the rich if it benefits the people.
