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Wike revokes land linked to Jonathan, Danjuma, others over unpaid ground rent

Published

2 months ago

November 29, 2025

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike

Wike revokes land linked to Jonathan, Danjuma, others over unpaid ground rent

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 1,095 plots in Abuja belonging to prominent Nigerians, private organisations and government institutions over unpaid ground rent, violation penalties and land use conversion fees.

The decision was announced on Friday in a public notice issued by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and signed by Lere Olayinka, Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the minister. The circular, titled “Commencement of enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C-of-O bills,” marks the beginning of a major enforcement drive across the Federal Capital City.

According to the FCTA, 835 individuals and organisations defaulted in the payment of ground rent, while another 260 violated land use regulations, failing to settle conversion and associated fees. These infractions, the administration said, contradict Section 28 (5a & b) of the Land Use Act and breach the conditions attached to their Rights of Occupancy.

Olayinka stated that enforcement actions on the affected properties — including some already developed structures — will begin immediately following the expiration of a 14-day final grace period.

High-Profile Nigerians Affected

The revocation list features several well-known personalities, including former First Lady Patience Jonathan; ex-Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma; former Chief of Army Staff Ishaya Bamaiyi; ambassador-nominee Kayode Are; and Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

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Others named include serving Minister of State John Enoh; the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus; and former acting chairman Abubakar Baraje.

A number of former state governors were also affected: Abdullahi Ganduje, Sule Lamido, Ayo Fayose, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Donald Duke, Niyi Adebayo, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Aliyu Wamakko and Gado Nasko.

Former federal ministers listed include Chikwe, Dapo Sarumi, Idika Kalu, Olu Agunloye and Inna Ciroma. Several serving and past lawmakers were also named, such as Ali Ndume, Osita Izunaso, Caleb Zagi, Ganiyu Solomon, Iyiola Omisore, Patience Ogodo, Usman Bugaje, Abba Aji and Mao Ohuabunwa.

The list also contains the names of deceased national figures, including former NRC presidential candidate Bashir Tofa; ex-PDP BoT chairman Tony Anenih; former Finance Minister Adamu Ciroma; ex-Ohanaeze leaders Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Ralph Uwechue; and former ministers Alex Akinyele, Dubem Onyia, Onaolapo Soleye, Yakubu Lame, Babatunde Osotimehin and John Odey.

Government Agencies, Banks, Religious Bodies Included

Several federal agencies were affected, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), NNPCL, the Ministries of Finance and Environment, CBN, NTA, NPA, FHA, RMAFC, NAN, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Police Force.

Properties belonging to the governments of Oyo, Borno and Kaduna states were also revoked.

Financial institutions on the list include GTB, First Bank, EcoBank, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, the defunct Diamond Bank and African Continental Bank, while the Catholic Church was named among religious bodies affected.

Enforcement Begins After Multiple Warnings

The FCTA said all listed individuals and organisations ignored repeated reminders through print, broadcast and online platforms to settle outstanding liabilities.

“With the expiration of the final grace period of fourteen (14) calendar days on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, the FCT Administration will carry out enforcement actions on the 835 properties for defaulting in payment of Ground Rent and 260 properties for defaulting in Violation Fee and Land Use Conversion Fee,” the notice read.

Earlier in the week, Wike had warned that no further extensions would be granted, stressing that property owners risked losing their titles permanently.

The announcement comes days after reports indicated that the FCTA was preparing fresh enforcement against defaulters of ground rent, land use change fees, conversion fees, and certificate-of-occupancy charges.

In May, the administration sealed some of the 4,792 institutions owing ground rent, including the PDP national secretariat in Wuse Zone 5. Other agencies affected at the time included CBN, INEC, NNPC, NTA, NNDC, NPA, NIPOST, PHCN, NSPMC and NUC.

Wike revokes land linked to Jonathan, Danjuma, others over unpaid ground rent

Related Topics:Danjuma Ground rent Jonathan Wike

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Court Accepts Sowore’s Tweet Calling President Tinubu ‘Criminal’ as Exhibit in Cybercrime Trial

A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted a tweet by activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore, in which he called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a “criminal,” as part of the evidence in his ongoing cyberstalking and defamation trial brought by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Justice Mohammed Umar ruled on Thursday, January 22, 2026, that screenshots of the controversial posts from Sowore’s verified X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts, along with video clips submitted on a flash drive, would be formally marked as exhibits in the case. The court overruled defense objections, allowing the social media evidence to form a central part of the prosecution’s case.

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The case has sparked a nationwide debate over cyber defamation, limits of online political criticism, and freedom of expression in Nigeria, attracting significant attention from journalists, human rights groups, and political commentators.

Court Accepts Sowore’s Tweet Calling President Tinubu ‘Criminal’ as Exhibit in Cybercrime Trial

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Police Nab Woman Who Hired Armed Robbers to Steal Boyfriend’s ₦13m Gold

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old woman for allegedly hiring armed robbers to steal her boyfriend’s gold jewellery worth about ₦13 million, the police confirmed on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

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The boyfriend reportedly became aware of the plot and contacted the Delta police, who arranged for the “robbers” to be intercepted. During the operation, Jessica was arrested and the gold jewellery — including a hand chain and necklace — recovered.

A video released by the Delta State Police shows the recovered items and highlights the agency’s prompt action in foiling the robbery attempt. SP Edafe warned residents against engaging in criminal activities or hiring armed criminals, stressing that such acts carry severe legal consequences.

This incident forms part of ongoing Delta police operations targeting armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes, reinforcing the command’s commitment to public safety and law enforcement across the state.

Police Nab Woman Who Hired Armed Robbers to Steal Boyfriend’s ₦13m Gold

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Senator Natasha Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio

Nigeria Political Battle: Akpabio Drags Natasha Akpoti to Supreme Court

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a fresh case at the Supreme Court, escalating the ongoing legal dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan over her suspension from the Nigerian Senate. The move comes after protracted proceedings in lower courts, with the apex court now set to deliver a final judgment on the matter.

According to court filings, Akpabio is seeking the Supreme Court’s approval to regularize and sustain his appeal against previous rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, asserting that the Senate acted within its powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution to regulate its internal procedures. The case, recorded under SC/CV/1111/2025, also requests leave for Akpabio’s notice of appeal and brief of argument to be deemed properly filed and served.

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The dispute traces back to February 2025, when Akpoti‑Uduaghan raised concerns over alleged procedural irregularities and parliamentary privilege issues during a Senate plenary session. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions subsequently invoked disciplinary measures, resulting in a six-month suspension for the lawmaker.

Akpoti‑Uduaghan challenged the suspension at the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing it violated her constitutional right to fair hearing and breached Senate Standing Orders. The Court of Appeal later struck out parts of the Senate’s defense on procedural grounds, prompting Akpabio to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court for definitive resolution.

Additionally, the dispute encompasses a related contempt proceeding, arising from a social media post by Akpoti‑Uduaghan during the litigation, which a Federal High Court deemed in violation of a restraining order, leading to a fine and public apology — a decision she is also appealing.

The Supreme Court filing effectively brings all parties before Nigeria’s apex court, with the case expected to set precedents on the limits of legislative authority, judicial review, and parliamentary discipline.