FCT Min,Wike issues fresh ultimatum to Abuja landowners over C-Of-O
Pqconnect 
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a fresh two-week ultimatum to owners of 762 plots in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or face the final revocation of their land allocations.
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday, December 20, by Wike's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka. Wike emphasized that the government’s primary aim is not to strip owners of their land but to ensure compliance with payment obligations.
“It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O was published. They were offered two weeks to pay or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762,” the statement said.
Following the publication of a notice withdrawing the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters, many affected allottees have come forward to make payments. In response, the government has extended a two-week grace period, giving the defaulters until January 3, 2025, to pay.
"Consequently, the 762 allottees and 614 others with outstanding payments on their C-of-O have until January 3, 2025, to comply, failing which their R-of-O titles will be permanently withdrawn in accordance with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978,” the statement warned.
Wike stressed that there would be no further extensions after January 3, 2025, and the revocation of titles for defaulters would be final.
This latest ultimatum follows Wike’s recent revocation of lands belonging to high-profile individuals, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, alongside 759 other notable figures and organizations, all in Maitama II, Abuja.
The minister also issued warnings to other prominent defaulters, including Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Kingsley Chinda, former Senate Presidents Iyorchia Ayu and Ameh Ebute, and Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, urging them to settle outstanding fees or risk losing their lands.
Wike’s actions come after months of appeals to FCT residents, particularly those in prime areas, to clear their debts to the FCT Administration or face revocation of their land rights.
