Wike issues two-week deadline Abuja Landowners to settle bills on C-of-O

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a two-week ultimatum to owners of 762 plots of land in the Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or face the final revocation of their allocations.

This directive was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka.

The minister emphasized that the government’s intention is not to dispossess individuals of their land but to ensure compliance with payment obligations.

Wike called on landowners to fulfill their financial responsibilities promptly, stressing the importance of contributing to government revenue for effective service delivery.

The statement read; “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 their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.

“Yesterday, a notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.

“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two-week grace has been given.

“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025, to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, under the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.

“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”