The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a fresh two-week ultimatum to owners of 762 plots of land in the Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja.
These landowners must settle their outstanding payments for Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) by January 3, 2025, or face the permanent revocation of their land titles.
A statement released on Friday by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, highlighted the government’s primary objective of ensuring compliance, rather than stripping individuals of their land ownership rights.
The statement reminded the public of an earlier notice published on October 5, 2024. That notice listed 3,273 allottees who had failed to pay their C-of-O charges. Out of these, 2,511 complied after being given a two-week deadline, leaving 762 defaulters.
On Thursday, the government published another notice warning these remaining landowners of impending title withdrawal.
Following the publication, several affected individuals expressed willingness to settle their bills. In response, Wike extended a final two-week grace period. The updated deadline also includes 614 additional defaulters with outstanding payments.
The statement read; “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O was published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
“Yesterday, a notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two-week grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025, to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, under the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”
