‘Ground rent default not grounds for revocation’ – Kingibe tackles Wike over property seizures in Abuja

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has criticized the recent wave of property revocations in Abuja, warning that it is illegal to seize, revoke, or seal properties solely on the grounds of failure to pay ground rent.

Speaking in reaction to the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) clampdown on defaulting property owners, Kingibe cautioned FCT Minister Nyesom Wike against actions that may contravene existing legal provisions.

The FCTA, under Wike’s directive, recently revoked over 4,700 properties across the capital city. According to official statements, the properties were seized because their owners failed to pay ground rent in some cases, for decades.

But Senator Kingibe argues that while non-payment of ground rent is a serious issue, the appropriate response must follow due legal process, including formal notifications, hearings, and judicial endorsement. She stressed that arbitrary revocations without legal backing could amount to abuse of power.

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The Administration, on Monday, began the sealing of the affected properties, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Peoples Democratic Party’s secretariat, Ibro Hotels, among others, before the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who gave the defaulters a 14-day grace to settle their rents.

But reacting to the exercise, Senator Kingibe said the Land Use Act indicated that the penalty for such default is, by law, limited to a fine or surcharge, not the compulsory taking over or sealing of the property without recourse to the due process prescribed under Section 42 of the Land Use Act and other relevant provisions.

She said, ‘’The indiscriminate and sometimes abrupt sealing of properties, often executed without proper notice, engagement, or adherence to legal procedure, only serves to deepen the economic distress of individuals, families, and business owners already facing mounting hardship. These actions undermine livelihoods, erode public trust in institutions, and risk destabilizing the fragile balance of social and economic stability within the FCT.

‘’As the elected Senator of the Federal Capital Territory, I cannot, and will not, stand idly by while residents are subjected to enforcement practices that contravene established laws and compound their suffering. I am actively engaging with relevant authorities and exploring all legislative avenues to ensure that any enforcement actions taken are consistent with the rule of law, fairness, and compassion.’’

The Senator noted that while the enforcement of regulations and tax obligations is necessary, such actions must be carried out within the bounds of legality, fairness, and sensitivity to the current economic realities faced by residents.

‘’It is important to clarify that ground rent, a tax charged and collected by state governments on land granted pursuant to the Lands (Title Vesting, etc.) Act of 1975, is not grounds for arbitrary property takeover. While the government retains the constitutional power to revoke land for overriding public interest, such revocation must strictly follow due legal process as stipulated under the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act, including the payment of due compensation,’’ the Senator said.

She urged all residents and business owners to remain calm and law-abiding.

‘’Please rest assured that this matter is being addressed with the seriousness it deserves. We are committed to ensuring that dialogue, justice, and due process prevail,’’ the senator said in the statement.