By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that begining from Monday next week, it will commence taking possession of 4,794 properties it has earlier revoked over failure to pay ground rent, for between 10 to 43 years.
This was made known on Friday at a joint press briefing by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze and Director of Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima in Abuja.
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 Monday, 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.
On the claim that some people went to court, the Director of Lands stated that 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.
Chijioke Nwankwoeze also disclosed that the FCTA was already compiling records of compliance and non-compliance of title holders that were in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, who were given a grace of 21 Days to pay up.
He said the government will act accordingly as soon as the records are fully complied and analyzed.
The address; “Recall that on March 18, 2025, we informed you of the revocation of 4,794 land titles in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape districts.
These 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).
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
