Recent actions by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration, under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, have sparked significant debate surrounding the revocation of land titles and demolition of properties in Abuja. These actions, while rooted in statutory authority, have drawn allegations of corruption, injustice, and abuse of power, bringing the legal and procedural integrity of the process into question.
The power to revoke land titles derives from the Land Use Act of 1978. Specifically, Section 28(5)(a) and (b) grants governors and the FCT Minister the authority to revoke Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) on specified grounds, including:
1. Failure to develop the allocated land as stipulated in the terms of the grant.
2. Non-compliance with statutory conditions, such as the payment of ground rent or other obligations.
As the conservator of land within their jurisdiction, these authorities are mandated to ensure that decisions regarding revocation and reallocation adhere strictly to statutory provisions and principles of fairness. However, recent actions have raised concerns about potential deviations from these legal requirements.
These allegations by Vincent Martins Otse (“VeryDarkBlackMan”) In a widely circulated social media video, Vincent Martins Otse accused the FCT Minister of unlawfully revoking the land title of an estate in Life Camp, Abuja, belonging to the late Colonel Paul Ogbebor. Otse alleged:
The land, originally allocated in 1984, was revoked and subsequently reallocated to Saravera Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly linked to the minister’s business interests.
Shares in the reallocated property were purportedly distributed to Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
VeryDarkBlackMan said that Colonel Ogbebor was the first cadet of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA Code 001) and a veteran of the civil war and was unjustly deprived of his estate.
Otse called upon senior military officers to intervene and uphold the legacy of Colonel Ogbebor, whose contributions to national unity remain significant.
A Temporary Right of Occupancy was granted in 1984, under which the company constructed permanent structures without obtaining statutory approvals for decades.
In November 2020, Paulosa applied for a Statutory Right of Occupancy, conditionally approved in February 2023, requiring payments totaling N57.1 million for ground rent, premiums, and arrears.
The company failed to fulfill these conditions for over 20 months, leading to the revocation of its title in October 2024.
Critics argue that the demolition notice was abrupt and unfair, with the company allegedly fulfilling earlier financial obligations demanded by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister has defended the administration’s actions, stating:
The revocation of Paulosa’s title was predicated on long-standing non-compliance with statutory requirements.
The reallocation process followed due to legal procedures, and critics are urged to verify their claims before disseminating potentially misleading information.
The controversy raises critical questions regarding governance and adherence to legal frameworks:
1. Due Process: Was the revocation of Colonel Ogbebor’s estate and other properties conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Land Use Act?
2. Transparency: Are allegations of favoritism and abuse of power substantiated by credible evidence?
3. Property Rights: How does the FCT Administration ensure the protection of legitimate property rights while addressing non-compliance and illegalities?
While the Land Use Act empowers the FCT Minister to revoke land titles and demolish illegal structures, such powers must be exercised transparently and equitably. The FCT Administration is urged to:
Provide clear justifications for its decisions to ensure public confidence in its actions. Prioritizing transparency, fairness, and accountability, the FCT Administration can address these controversies while safeguarding the integrity of land administration in the Federal Capital Territory.
Written by Daniel Okonkwo for Profile International Human Rights Advocate.
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