“FCTA Grants 14-Day Grace Period for Ground Rent Defaulters After Tinubu’s Intervention”

Following the widespread sealing of defaulting properties across the Federal Capital Territory (FCTA) on Monday, the FCT Administration has granted a 14-day grace period to affected property owners to settle their outstanding ground rents and associated penalties. This development comes after the direct intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and aims to provide relief while reinforcing the need for compliance.

The update was confirmed in a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The FCTA’s recent enforcement action saw properties belonging to both public and private entities sealed for failing to pay ground rent dues for durations spanning from 10 to 43 years.

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“Graduated Penalties Announced Based on Property Location”

The FCT Administration has outlined specific penalty structures depending on the district in which the property is located:

• Central Area defaulters are to pay a N5 million penalty in addition to their outstanding Ground Rent.
• For properties located in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts, the penalty is N3 million plus the rent owed.
• Owners in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II must pay N2 million, also in addition to their unpaid Ground Rent.

The statement emphasized that this two-week grace window is non-negotiable and urges defaulters to act swiftly or risk losing their property titles.

“Owners Urged to Register Minister’s Consent Within Deadline”

Apart from rent defaulters, property buyers who have not registered their purchase through the legally required Minister’s Consent and have not submitted their Deeds of Assignment are also affected. These individuals have likewise been given a 14-day period to complete the documentation process at the FCT Department of Land Administration.

Failure to comply could lead to penalties or, in severe cases, revocation of ownership titles.

The administration further stated that all property holders must use the grace period to settle outstanding Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills. Non-compliance will result in the revocation of property titles as permitted under the FCT Land Use regulations.

“Wike: Compliance Critical to FCT Development”

Minister Nyesom Wike emphasized that consistent payment of land-related dues is critical to supporting the infrastructure and service delivery goals of the FCTA. He urged all residents and property owners to ensure timely payment of required fees and taxes.

“People must realize that development does not happen in a vacuum,” the statement read. “We need these funds to improve infrastructure, build roads, maintain services, and meet the growing needs of the population.”

The recent enforcement is part of a sweeping drive to recover funds owed by 4,794 properties, many of which had not paid their dues for decades. The crackdown is seen as part of a broader reform initiative by Wike to reestablish accountability and urban discipline within Abuja’s property market.

“Political Fallout: PDP National Secretariat Among Sealed Properties”

Among the sealed properties is the Wadata Plaza, which houses the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat. This action triggered swift backlash from the opposition party, which condemned the move as “irresponsible and politically motivated.”

Speaking to the press after an emergency caucus meeting, Acting PDP Chairman Umar Damagum announced that the party would challenge the sealing of its headquarters in court.

“This is not only high-handed, but it is a dangerous precedent,” Damagum said. “The PDP is a law-abiding institution, and we are already consulting our legal team to seek redress.”

Other high-profile buildings sealed included offices of a commercial bank, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), all located in Wuse Zone 5.

“Public Reactions and Next Steps”

While the FCT’s enforcement campaign has been hailed in some quarters as a long-overdue push for urban order, it has also raised concerns about the transparency of the process and the inclusion of government agencies and political entities.

Residents and property owners have been advised to consult with the FCT Land Administration Department to clarify their payment records, resolve disputes, and update documentation within the specified window.

The FCT Administration maintains that the exercise is not political but a necessary step to revamp Abuja’s land administration framework. All indications point toward more robust enforcement measures following the expiration of the 14-day grace period.