Crime
Wike Revokes 4,794 Land Titles Over Non-Payment Of Ground Rent For 10 Years
Wike Revokes 4,794 Land Titles Over Non-Payment Of Ground Rent For 10 Years
Wike revokes 4,794 land titles over non-payment of ground rent for 10 years. Mr Olayinka said that a total of 8,375 property owners owed a total of N6.97 billion as ground rent.
The minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved revocation of 4,794 land titles over non-payment of ground rent for more than 10 years.
Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications and social media, to the minister announced the revocation at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.
Mr Olayinka said that a total of 8,375 property owners owed a total of N6.97 billion as ground rent as at the end of 2024.
He added that the 8,375 property owners mainly in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape have not paid ground rent in the last 43 years.
“This is in contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Rights of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
“It is important to state that payment of ground rent on landed property in the FCT is founded on extant legislation.
“It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand,” he said.
Mr Olayinka recalled that the FCTA made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023, calling on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and ground rents.
He said that the publications yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay.
“Consequently, the titles of the properties in default of payment of ground rent for 10 years and above have been revoked forthwith,” he said.
He added that a 21-day grace has been given to title holders, who defaulted in payment of ground rent for between one and 10 years, after which the affected titles would be revoked.
Also, the FCTA director land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, explained that the land titles owners who defaulted in payment, were from the 10 oldest districts in Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City.
Mr Nwankwoeze said that the FCTA would be sending revocation notices to the affected allottees in phase one districts from Cadastral Zone A01 to A09, affecting private companies, individuals, including government organisations.
He added that revocation was being done in phases and in categories, adding that phase Ii, would be next in line, after the revocation of phase 1 was completed.
He said that phase II comprised Gudu District, Durumi, Wuye, Katampe, Jabi, Mabushi, Utako, and Daki Biyu among others.
Wike Revokes 4,794 Land Titles
The director further said that with the revocation, the properties built on the lands would become FCTA properties, adding that the FCT minister would decide what to do with them.
“Once a title is revoked, the property reverts to the FCTA, so, effectively, all the 4,794 properties have reverted to the FCTA,” he said.
Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers, Suspends Governor Fubara
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a prolonged political crisis and security threats.
In a national broadcast on March 18, 2025, Tinubu said governance in the state had collapsed following the demolition of the House of Assembly in December 2023 and the governor’s failure to restore legislative functions. The Supreme Court had also ruled that the state lacked a functioning government due to the ongoing crisis.
As part of emergency measures:
– Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers are suspended for six months.
– Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) is appointed as the Administrator to oversee governance.
Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers
– The judiciary remains operational, and all emergency regulations will require Federal Executive Council approval.
The proclamation has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly. Tinubu expressed hope that the intervention would restore peace, order, and democratic governance in Rivers State.
EFCC Chairman, Official Risk Jail For Court Contempt
EFCC chairman, official risk jail for court contempt. The Bauchi State High Court has issued a contempt notice (Form 48) against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Head of Economic Governance (EG1), Dare Folarin, over their alleged defiance of a court order in an ongoing legal dispute.
The notice, dated March 12, 2025, warns that failure to comply with the court’s directive could result in imprisonment for the EFCC officials.
Barrister Ahmed Sani, representing the applicants—Aliyu Adamu and three others—stated that the court had previously issued an order restraining the EFCC from taking any action against his clients until the case was resolved.
However, despite being served with the order, Folarin allegedly ignored it and proceeded with the arrest of Adamu.
“In clear defiance of the court’s directive, the EFCC team, led by Folarin, stormed our client’s office, seized documents, and arrested him,” Sani said. “This blatant disregard for judicial authority must be addressed.”
EFCC
He further alleged that Folarin initially refused to accept the court notice and later chased the court bailiff out of the EFCC premises, even threatening to detain him. The bailiff has since sworn an affidavit confirming service of the notice.
Sani warned that if the EFCC and Folarin continue to disregard the court order, Form 49 will be issued, and contempt proceedings will commence against them.
He urged the commission to comply with the court’s directive to avoid legal repercussions.
Trader Sentenced To 18 Months In Jail For Theft In Jos
Trader sentenced to 18 months in jail for theft in Jos. A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday sentenced a 43-year-old trader, Pam Dung, to 18 months’ imprisonment for house breaking and theft.
Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos sentenced him, after he pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him.
The magistrate, however, gave the convict an option of a fine of N30,000.
She also ordered the convict to pay N300,000 as compensation to the complainant.
Police
The prosecutor, Insp Daniel Longwant, told the court that the case was reported at the Angle-Jos Police Station on January 30 by one Samilla Nuhu, the complainant.
Mr Longwant said the convict broke into the house and stole household items, including a fridge, sewing machine, woofer speakers, pressing iron, stabiliser, gas cylinder, and mattress valued at N380,000.
-
Akwa Ibom2 months agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Akwa Ibom2 months agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News2 months agoList Of 42 Executive Orders Of Trump
-
Politics2 months agoPresident Trump Changes Divorce Law, No 50% Property Shares
-
News1 month agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Health care1 week agoNiMet Warns FCT, Other 18 States Of Impending Heat Stress, Advises Safety Measures
-
Economy2 months agoTinubu Allocated N940 Billion To TETfund In 2025 Budget
-
Economy2 months agoEnugu-Onitsha Expressway: Many Feared Dead, 8 Vehicles Burnt In Tanker Explosion