Olayiwola Matthew
President Bola Tinubu has given a 14-day ultimatum for defaulting property owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to pay their alleged ground rent debts.
On Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of ground rent for a period of 10 to 43 years.
The FCTA sealed many offices, including the headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Access Bank in Wuse Market, a Total petrol station in the same area, and an FIRS office in Zone 5.
Following the act, the president met with Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), at the State House in Abuja.
The meeting was after the FIRS criticised FCTA for sealing its office over the alleged non-payment of ground rent, describing the act as “malicious” and “unprofessional”.
Providing updates in a statement on Monday, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, the FCT director of land administration, said due to Tinubu’s intervention, defaulters now have a two-week period to pay the ground rent.
“The President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties,” the statement reads.
Nwankwoeze said for properties in the central area, defaulters will pay N5 million as penalty, in addition to the ground rent owed.
He said those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape districts will pay N3 million as penalty, in addition to the ground rent owed.
“Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty in addition to the Ground Rent owed,” the statement added.
“Also, all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has granted a 14 days (TWO WEEKS) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles.”
In March, the FCTA revoked the land title of the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) located in the central business district, alleging failure to pay ground rents of over 19 years.
At the time the 4,794 land titles were revoked, the FCTA said its owners could appeal for reinstatement.