Wike revokes land tittles of Buhari, Akume, Onnoghen, others in Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked land titles belonging to former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

This action follows an earlier warning issued in October by the FCT Administration, which threatened to revoke the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) of landowners in Maitama, Abuja, who failed to settle outstanding statutory payments.

In a notice published on October 5, 2024, the administration had given a two-week ultimatum for landowners to clear their outstanding fees or risk losing ownership rights.

On Thursday, the FCTA officially revoked the ownership of 762 plots of land in the highbrow Maitama District due to non-payment of statutory fees. It also cited the failure of the affected individuals to pay for their C of O documents.

Additionally, the FCTA issued a fresh warning to 614 other individuals and corporate entities, stating that their Rights of Occupancy would be withdrawn if they failed to settle outstanding payments within two weeks.

“The Federal Capital Territory Administration wishes to inform the allottee(s)/title holder(s) of plots of land in Maitama 1 who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn.

“This action was taken under Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which empowers the minister to revoke rights of occupancy for non-compliance with payment obligations or breach of other allocation terms,” the notice read.

Among those whose C-of-O were revoked are the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation owned by former President Muhammadu Buhari; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and his wife, Regina Akume; and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.

Former and serving lawmakers on the list include Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin; former House of Reps member, Nnenna Ukeje; and former Senators Andy Uba and Smart Adeyemi.