The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked 167 plots of land in some of the most expensive districts of Abuja, including Maitama, Asokoro, Wuye, and Wuse. The revocation was announced on Thursday and was due to the failure of the owners to develop the plots.
According to a notice issued by the FCTA’s Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, the affected plots were allocated to a variety of individuals and organizations, including prominent Nigerians, government agencies, and businesses.
“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has, in the exercise of the powers conferred on him under Section 28(5)(a) & (b) of the Land Use Act 1978 revoked the affected titles for continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right of Occupancy to wit non-development,” Adesola stated.
Some of the notable names affected by the revocation include the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, former Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke; his former Plateau State counterpart, Joshua Dariye, and one-time Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Ufot Ekaette.
Others are a late top politician and one-time director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olabiyi Durojaiye; the late publisher of a leading newspaper, Leadership, Sam Nda-Isaiah; a former senator, Victor Oyofo; a wife of former governor of Plateau State; Josephine Tapgun, and a top journalist, Paul Nwabiukwu, amongst others.
The list also includes private companies such as Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, MKO Group Ltd.; AHA Limited; IBAD Ltd., NMO Merchants Ltd.; BUA International Ltd., Trade Bank Ltd., and Wema Bank Ltd., among others.
Wike had vowed to revoke lands that contravene the Abuja Land Use Act no matter who owns them. He said that the revocation was necessary to ensure the orderly development of the city and to prevent land speculation. He also warned that the FCTA would not hesitate to revoke other plots that are not being developed in accordance with the terms of allocation.