The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has announced the revocation of ownership for 762 plots of land in the prestigious Maitama 1 District of Abuja. The decision comes after the affected landowners failed to settle their statutory fees, marking a significant move by the FCTA to enforce land regulations.
Reports indicate that several high-profile individuals, including former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, are among those whose plots are affected. The FCTA has also issued a two-week ultimatum to 614 additional individuals and organizations, urging them to clear outstanding Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) fees or risk losing their properties.
However, in response to the reports, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu, issued a statement clarifying the situation surrounding the alleged land revocation. According to Shehu, Buhari is not the owner of the land in question. He explained that the plot in question was allocated to the “Muhammadu Buhari Foundation,” a non-profit entity founded by individuals around the former president.
Shehu emphasized that Buhari had previously declined an offer from the administration to acquire land in Abuja, having already owned a plot in the FCT. He also stated that when Buhari and his cabinet members were invited to complete forms for land allocation, the former president returned the form without filling it out, insisting that those without land should be prioritized.
The statement further noted that the Foundation encountered difficulties with the land department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) due to an exceptionally high bill for the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. Shehu suggested that the discrepancy in charges could have been a deliberate mistake, leading to the revocation of the land.
As of now, the FCTA’s actions underscore the government’s continued effort to enforce land regulations and ensure proper payment of fees for landowners in Abuja, particularly in the high-demand Maitama District.
