By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced date to begin seizure of properties revoked over non-payment of Ground Rent.
Briefing journalists on Friday, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to minister of the FCT, Lere Olayinka , and Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze said taking possession of the properties will start on May 26.
The administration had in March, announced the revocation of 4,794 land titles in Asokoro, Maitama , Central Area, Garki, Wuse and Guzape areas.
They said; “ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape districts, had already reverted to the FCTA, and as from next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties.
“As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”
The Director of Development Control, explained that affected properties will be sealed up and access to them restricted as from Monday.
He said the FCTA will decide what to do with the affected properties in due course.
Asked on whether there was court order stopping the action,the Director of Lands said there was no court decision on the revocation, and as such, the FCTA is not restricted in the discharge of its lawful functions on the affected properties.
He said the 4,794 properties were among the total of 8,375 land titles on which Ground Rent was not paid from one year to 43 years.
“We did say then that consequent upon the revocation of these titles, ownership of the affected properties have reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
“As from Monday, May 26, 2025, the FCTA will begin to take possession of the affected properties, using relevant agencies of government.
“This will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.
“Relevant agencies of the FCTA are already compiling records of compliance and non-compliance with this directive, with a view to acting accordingly.
“It is important to state that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation. It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand.
“In March, this year, list of land titles in default of payment of Ground Rent was compiled in the ten oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC)” Nwakwoeze said.
According to him, the areas include Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04) and Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05).
Others are Maitama (Cadastral Zone A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A07), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A08) and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).
This contravenes the terms and conditions of grant of the Rights of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
