Wike revokes plots of land linked to Patience Jonathan, TY Danjuma, Emir, Ndume, others

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 1,095 plots in Abuja belonging to several high-profile Nigerians, federal institutions and private organisations over unpaid ground rent and land use conversion fees.

The cancellations were announced in a public notice released on Friday by Lere Olayinka, Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the minister.

The notice, issued by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), was titled: “Commencement of enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C-of-O bills.”

According to the document, 835 individuals and organisations failed to settle their ground rent, while another 260 defaulted in paying violation and land use conversion fees. These breaches, the FCTA said, violate Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act and the terms tied to their respective Rights of Occupancy.

 Olayinka said enforcement on the affected properties—some already developed—will begin immediately, following the expiration of a 14-day final grace period.

Names on the FCTA list include former First Lady Patience Jonathan; former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma; former Chief of Army Staff Ishaya Bamaiyi; ambassador-nominee Kayode Are; and Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

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Also listed are serving Minister of State John Enoh; the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus; and former acting PDP chairman Abubakar Baraje.

Several former governors were affected, including Abdullahi Ganduje, Sule Lamido, Ayo Fayose, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Donald Duke, Niyi Adebayo, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Aliyu Wamakko and Gado Nasko.

Former ministers named include Chikwe, Dapo Sarumi, Idika Kalu, Olu Agunloye and Inna Ciroma.

Serving and former lawmakers on the list include Ali Ndume, Osita Izunaso, Caleb Zagi, Ganiyu Solomon, Olabode Olajumoke, Iya Abubakar, Abubakar Sodangi, Iyiola Omisore, Patrick Obahiagbon, Usman Bugaje, Abba Aji, Shehu Agaie, Patience Ogodo and Mao Ohuabunwa.

The list also contains several deceased figures, among them former NRC presidential candidate Bashir Tofa; ex-PDP BoT chairman Tony Anenih; former Finance Minister Adamu Ciroma; former Ohanaeze leaders Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Ralph Uwechue; and former ministers Alex Akinyele, Dubem Onyia, Onaolapo Soleye, Yakubu Lame, Babatunde Osotimehin and John Odey. Former Anambra governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, ex-IGP Ibrahim Coomassie and Delta North Senator Patrick Osakwe also feature.

Government agencies affected include the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), NNPCL, the Ministries of Finance and Environment, CBN, NTA, NPA, FHA, RMFAC, NAN, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Police Force.

Properties belonging to Oyo, Borno and Kaduna state governments were revoked, as well as those tied to financial institutions such as GTB, First Bank, EcoBank, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, the defunct Diamond Bank and African Continental Bank. The Catholic Church is among the religious bodies named.

The announcement stated:“The general public, particularly holders of property in the FCT, are hereby notified that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has approved the commencement of enforcement actions on a total of 1,095 properties in the Federal Capital City (FCC) for defaulting in various payments.”

It added that despite repeated notices in newspapers, online platforms and television urging payment of outstanding liabilities, the concerned property owners failed to comply.“Following the expiration of the final grace period of fourteen (14) calendar days on Tuesday, the 25th of November 2025, the FCT Administration will carry out enforcement actions on the 835 properties for defaulting in payment of Ground Rent and 260 properties for defaulting in payment of Violation Fee and Land Use Conversion Fee.”

Earlier in the week, Mr Wike reiterated that no further deadline extensions would be granted. He warned that property holders risked losing their titles if they failed to settle their obligations.

Just days before, it was reported that the FCTA planned fresh enforcement against defaulters of ground rent, land use change and conversion fees, as well as right-of-occupancy and certificate-of-occupancy charges.

The administration stressed that the two-week and presidential grace windows offered months earlier had lapsed, declaring that the latest notice would be the last.

In May, the FCTA sealed some of 4,792 institutions owing ground rent, including the PDP national secretariat in Wuse Zone 5. Agencies listed at the time included CBN, INEC, NNPC, NTA, NNDC, NPA, NIPOST, PHCN, NSPMC and NUC.

(PREMIUM TIMES)