President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing sealing of properties belonging to ground rent defaulters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), granting a 14-day grace period for them to settle their outstanding obligations and regularize their documents. The FCT’s Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, announced this during a briefing, stating that enforcement had begun on 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years.
The affected properties include those owned by government institutions, corporate organizations, and individuals. However, following President Tinubu’s intervention, holders of the affected properties have been granted 14 days to settle the outstanding ground rents, including applicable penalties. The penalties vary depending on the location, with properties in the Central Area requiring a N5 million penalty, those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape districts requiring N3 million, and those in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II requiring N2 million.
Additionally, property holders who have yet to register their interests or obtain the mandatory Minister’s Consent and register their Deeds of Assignment have 14 days to do so. The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has also granted a 14-day grace period for property holders to pay their Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy bills, or risk revocation of their titles.
