The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning regarding the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) of numerous plots of land in Abuja’s Maitama district. The FCTA, in a notice released on Friday, has demanded that landowners settle their outstanding C of O payments within a two-week period or face the revocation of their property rights. This action is framed within the context of infrastructural development initiatives planned for the Maitama II District. A total of 3,273 allottees have received this notice, which underscores the organization’s commitment to bolstering infrastructure while also ensuring compliance with land tenure regulations.
The official notification details that the Federal Capital Development Authority is actively undertaking infrastructural projects within the specified Maitama II District, categorized as Cadastral Zone A10. All allottees who have yet to fulfill their obligations concerning their C of O payments are urged to do so within the two-week grace period. The notice explicitly states that non-compliance may lead to the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory revoking the rights of occupancy over the affected plots, thereby paving the way for potential reallocation of those lands to other applicants. This situation encapsulates the administration’s approach towards optimizing land use in Abuja while enforcing financial accountability among landowners.
Among the notable individuals facing this ultimatum are children of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Yusuf Buhari and Zahra Buhari, as well as prominent political figures such as Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen. The list also highlights several significant bureaucratic figures, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Such high-profile implications underscore the potential impact of policy enforcement on the political elite and their property holdings in the nation’s capital.
The breadth of individuals named in the notice extends to numerous former governors and influential lawmakers from various political affiliations and backgrounds. Former governors like Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun, alongside serving and former legislators, are identified within the same purview of land ownership that is now jeopardized due to non-payment of land fees. This emphasizes the wide-ranging reach of the FCTA’s enforcement measures, asserting that even those in high political office are not exempt from compliance with land tenure regulations, reinforcing a principle of accountability in governance.
Inclusion of several former national chairpersons of major political parties, as well as other significant public figures—including former Senate President Ameh Ebute—illustrates that these measures transcend party lines and affiliations, raising the stakes for those potentially facing the loss of their land rights. With such a diverse group of stakeholders at risk, the FCTA’s decision appears to be a clarion call for all landowners in the area to ensure that their responsibilities are met in a timely manner, signaling a collective accountability encouraged by the governing body.
Overall, the FCTA’s recent action indicates a determined effort to enhance urban infrastructure in Abuja while underscoring the importance of regulatory compliance among landowners. By targeting the affluent and politically connected, the administration sends a clear message regarding the expectation that all landholders play a role in contributing to the capital’s developmental goals. As the two-week deadline approaches, landowners will undoubtedly be weighing their options and responsibilities, while the broader public observes how the FCTA implements its regulatory framework amidst varying degrees of political influence and social status.
