In what is going down as a thunderbolt move, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the lands allocated to some governors, senators and other political heavyweights.
Bayelsa and Imo States governors, Senator Diri Douye and Senator Hope Uzodimma, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, are among the 568 individuals whose land allocations in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja were withdrawn by Wike.
Media assistant to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka said the withdrawal of the Right of Occupancy, R-of-O of the 568 land allottees were consequent upon the expiration of the extra two weeks grace period granted them to pay their Certificate of Occupancy, C-of-O bills.
Top Nigerians on the list of the 568 allottees are former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, federal lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Hon. Oluwole Oke, among others.
Our correspondent recalls that in October, a total of 3,273 were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their R-of-O titles, out of which 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
The 762 allottees were later allowed another grace of 14 days to pay, but as at January 15, this year, 12 days after the expiration of the weeks, only 194 paid, leaving 568.
The Notice of Withdrawal of Right of Occupancy in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, sighted by reporters reads, “The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA wishes to inform the allottee(s)/ title holder(s) of plot(s) of land in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills after the expiration of grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property have been withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978 for contravention of the terms of grant which obligated the title / interest holders to settle all bills.
“The general public is, however, invited to note that allottees/title holders who have completed their payments on or before 15/01/2025 are not affected by this publication.”
