The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocation.
The FCT Administration had in a publication on Thursday revoked the land titles belonging to a former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abass; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and others for failing to pay or settle their balances for their C-of-Os.
However, a statement on Friday by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said Wike reiterated that the primary interest was not revoke the lands, but to ensure the owners make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read, “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
“Yesterday (Thursday), notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”