Following the sealing of several properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, the FCT Administration has granted a 14-day grace period to defaulters to settle outstanding ground rents and associated penalties. This decision came after the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
The development was confirmed in a statement by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
According to the statement, penalties are tiered based on property location. For Central Area, a N5 million penalty plus outstanding ground rent.
Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Guzape will pay N3 million penalty plus outstanding ground rent.
Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I, Garki II will pay N2 million penalty plus outstanding ground rent
Property buyers who have not yet registered their ownership by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and Deed of Assignment now have 14 days to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
Additionally, all property holders in the FCT have been given a 14-day window to clear their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) or Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills or risk revocation of their titles.
The statement emphasized the importance of timely payment of property-related dues to enable the government to execute developmental projects across the FCT.
The enforcement action, which began on Monday, targets 4,794 properties revoked due to non-payment of ground rent for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years. Affected properties include those owned by individuals, corporate organizations, and government institutions.
Among the sealed properties is the Wadata Plaza, which houses the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Others include buildings occupied by 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.
Reacting to the development, the PDP condemned the sealing of its headquarters, labeling the action as irresponsible. Speaking after a caucus meeting, Acting Chairman Umar Damagum stated that the party intends to challenge the decision.
