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

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