Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has states that it is not legal for properties to be seized, revoked, or sealed solely on account of failure to pay ground rent.
Reacting to the ongoing development in the capital city, Kingibe warned FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, not to go against the law.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on the authority of Wike, had revoked over 4,700 properties, whose owners were said to have failed to pay ground rent for decades.
Senator Kingibe noted that the Land Use Act indicated that the penalty for such default is, by law, limited to a fine or surcharge, not the compulsory taking over or sealing of the property without recourse to the due process prescribed under Section 42 of the Land Use Act and other relevant provisions.
She said, ‘’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. These actions undermine livelihoods, erode public trust in institutions, and risk destabilizing the fragile balance of social and economic stability within the FCT.
‘’As the elected Senator of the Federal Capital Territory, I cannot, and will not, stand idly by while residents are subjected to enforcement practices that contravene established laws and compound their suffering. I am actively engaging with relevant authorities and exploring all legislative avenues to ensure that any enforcement actions taken are consistent with the rule of law, fairness, and compassion.’’
‘’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. While the government retains the constitutional power to revoke land for overriding public interest, such revocation must strictly follow due legal process as stipulated under the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act, including the payment of due compensation,’’ the Senator said.
She appealed to all residents and business owners to stay calm and law-abiding.
‘’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 said in the statement.
