Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has cautioned the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, against any attempt to seal off embassies and foreign missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents, warning that such action would violate international law and constitutional protections.
Falana, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, emphasised that diplomatic properties are protected under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specifically Article 22, which renders embassy premises inviolable.
“Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent,” Falana stated. “If we embark on invading the embassy of any country, it’s going to lead to serious diplomatic problems for Nigeria. So, it is not allowed.”
His remarks follow the FCTA’s recent threat to repossess over 9,000 properties — including 34 foreign missions — listed as defaulting on ground rent payments spanning up to 43 years. The FCT administration had already begun sealing off properties, including the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before President Bola Tinubu intervened on May 23 by granting a 14-day grace period, which expired on June 6.
Falana further argued that unilateral sealing of properties without due process is unconstitutional, referencing previous court rulings against similar actions. “The minister cannot order that a house be sealed up. The right to a fair hearing is guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” he asserted.
He urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to advise Minister Wike against breaching international obligations and national legal processes.
While acknowledging the seriousness of unpaid ground rents, Falana insisted that enforcement must be pursued through lawful channels. “Yes, people are owing. Too bad! But if you want to collect your money, you must go to court,” he said, noting that the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal is the designated body for such disputes in the FCT.
With enforcement expected to resume after the Eid-el-Kabir holidays, legal experts and the diplomatic community are watching closely to see whether the FCT administration will heed Falana’s warnings or proceed with its planned crackdowns.
