Wike Revokes 1,095 Abuja Land Titles, Affecting Jonathan’s Wife, Ex-APC Chair, Former Governors

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has cancelled the property rights of 1,095 individuals and organisations over unpaid statutory land charges, signalling a renewed enforcement drive across Abuja.

According to a public notice published in Vanguard on Monday, the action followed the lapse of a 14-day final grace period which ended on November 25. Affected properties span premium locations including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse.

The notice, titled “Commencement of Enforcement Actions on Defaulters of Ground Rent Payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C of O Bills in the Federal Capital Territory,” explained that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike approved the revocations for failure to pay Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) bills, violation penalties, and land-use conversion fees. These actions, it said, were in line with Section 28(5)(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act and conditions tied to each Right of Occupancy.

Out of the 1,095 revoked properties:

• 835 defaulted on ground rent
• 260 failed to settle violation charges and land-use conversion fees

All revoked titles now automatically revert to the FCTA.

High-profile individuals affected include:

• Former First Lady Patience Jonathan
• Ex-governors Abdullahi Ganduje, Donald Duke, Ayo Fayose, Sule Lamido, and Iyiola Omisore
• Former Senate President David Mark
• Political figures Uche Secondus, Idika Kalu, Lawan Gwadabe, Ghali Umar Na’abba, Dapo Sarumi, Dubem Onyia, Azibaola Robert, Patrick Obahiagbon, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, and Victoria Ojeme

Institutions hit by the revocation include the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Borno and Oyo State Governments, several ministries, agencies, and hotels.

The FCTA has repeatedly warned landowners to clear all outstanding charges or risk forfeiture. This action follows a major sweep in May 2025, when 4,794 properties were revoked—some found to have unpaid ground rents dating back 43 years.

The administration retains full discretion to take possession of the reclaimed properties.

Opinion Nigeria News