Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has strongly condemned the ongoing revocation and sealing of properties in Abuja over unpaid ground rent, describing the actions as unlawful and contrary to the provisions of the Land Use Act.
Reacting to the development, the lawmaker cautioned FCT Minister Nyesom Wike against violating legal procedures in the name of enforcement. She asserted that the seizure, revocation, or sealing of properties solely based on failure to pay ground rent is illegal.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the directive of Minister Wike, recently revoked more than 4,700 property titles, citing decades-long default in ground rent payment by the affected owners.
On Monday, enforcement began with the sealing of some high-profile properties, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) headquarters, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat, Ibro Hotels, and others. The action, however, was halted after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened and granted a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their debts.
Senator Kingibe, however, emphasized that such enforcement must follow due process, as outlined under Section 42 of the Land Use Act and other relevant laws. She noted that the penalty for non-payment of ground rent is limited by law to fines or surcharges, not compulsory takeover or sealing of properties.
“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,” she said.
“These actions undermine livelihoods, erode public trust in institutions, and risk destabilizing the fragile balance of social and economic stability within the FCT.”
The Senator made it clear that, as the elected representative of FCT residents, she will not remain silent while citizens are subjected to enforcement practices that violate established laws and worsen their suffering.
She added that she is actively engaging relevant authorities and exploring legislative means to ensure all enforcement actions are consistent with rule of law, fairness, and compassion.
While acknowledging the need for residents and property owners to comply with regulations and tax obligations, Kingibe stressed that such enforcement must reflect sensitivity to current economic realities.
“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,” she stated.
“While the government retains the constitutional power to revoke land for overriding public interest, such revocation must strictly follow due legal process, including payment of appropriate compensation, as stipulated under the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act.”
She urged all residents and business owners to remain calm, law-abiding, and trust that the issue is being handled with the urgency and seriousness it requires.
“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 concluded.
