By Felix Durumbah, Abuja
Reprieve came the way of defaulters of ground rent payment in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as they have been handed a lifeline of two weeks to pay up.
The breather, which came late on Monday, May 26, followed presidential intervention in the matter.
FCTA officials had said the cumulative debt overhang topped N6.9billion over time.
Recall that operatives of FCT Administration (FCTA) had, earlier same day, stormed some business outlets in the nation’s capital over the ground rent matter, in the process sealing a popular Access Bank branch and a Total Filling Station in high brow Wuse district of Abuja.
Not done, they swooped on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office where a huge row broke out between staff and security agents of the revenue body and the FCTA operatives.
But the biggest accomplishment of the day was the sealing of the national headquarters of main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Wuse by the FCTA officials –a development which, among others, triggered an emergency meeting of the party’s leaders who moved to another location inside Abuja,later on Monday.
FCTA officials said many defaulters owed ground rent of between 10-43 years.
However, as panic and tension spread across boardrooms and similar places in Abuja, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was said to have obtained permission from President Bola Tinubu, to grant a 14-day lifeline to debtors.
A statement by FCTA Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said owners of properties in the Central Area of the city who had defaulted, will now, within the grace period, pay the sum of N5 million as penalty in addition to the ground rent owed.
The statement read, in part: “Today, May 26, 2025, we commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of ground rent, from 10 to 43 years.
“Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected. This demonstrates the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.
“However, the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (two weeks) to settle the outstanding ground rents, with associated penalties.
“Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape districts will pay the sum of N3 million as penalty, in addition to the ground rent owed.
“Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty in addition to the ground rent owed.
“Also, all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment, now have 14 days (two weeks) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has granted a 14-day (two weeks) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy/Certificate of Occupancy bills, or risk revocation of those titles.
“Going forward, the Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.”
