The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a renewed two-week ultimatum to the owners of 762 plots in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or face permanent revocation of their land allocations,Daily Trust reports.
The FCT Administration had earlier announced the revocation of land titles for several individuals, including former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajuddeen Abass, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, among others, due to their failure to settle outstanding payments for their C-of-Os.
In a statement released on Friday by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike emphasized that the primary objective was not to revoke the allocations but to ensure compliance with payment requirements. The statement read:
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“On October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees who had not paid for their C-of-Os was published, giving them two weeks to make payments or risk losing their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O). Out of these, 2,511 complied, leaving 762 defaulters.
“On Thursday, a notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of these 762 defaulters was published. Since then, many affected allottees have expressed willingness to pay. In line with the government’s aim to secure payment rather than revoke titles, an additional two-week grace period has been granted.
“The 762 allottees, along with 614 others who still owe balances on their C-of-Os, now have until January 3, 2025, to settle their dues. After this deadline, the withdrawal of R-of-O titles for non-compliance will be final, as stipulated by Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extensions.”
