By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THOUSANDS OF property titles across Abuja faced revocation on Monday, May 26 as authorities began enforcing penalties on 4,794 properties over unpaid Ground Rent spanning 10 to 43 years.
Government-owned assets, corporate buildings, and privately held plots were all affected in a sweeping move by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), reinforcing its resolve to execute land administration policies without bias or exemption.
Presidential intervention from His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has, however, paused the revocation drive temporarily.
A two-week window has been granted for affected parties to settle their outstanding Ground Rent debts, including the applicable penalties.
Penalties have been structured based on district classifications. Defaulters in the Central Area must pay N5 million alongside their unpaid rent. Owners of properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape are liable for a N3 million fine.
Those with properties in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II face a N2 million penalty, all exclusive of the outstanding rent arrears.
Further directives mandate individuals who acquired property from previous owners without securing the Minister’s Consent or registering their Deeds of Assignment to comply within the same two-week grace period.
These measures are part of a broader effort to sanitise land transactions and improve regulatory compliance across the territory.
The Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has also extended a general 14-day grace period for all property holders to clear their Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy fees.
Failure to comply may result in further title revocations.
Officials reaffirm that timely payment of statutory land charges remains crucial for infrastructural development and service delivery across the capital.
Property owners have been urged to meet their obligations to avoid punitive action.
