1 day ago
1
Lere Olayinka, the spokesperson for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at Senator Ireti Kingibe for her criticism of the ongoing enforcement of ground rent payments by the FCT Administration.
Senator Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the Senate under the Labour Party, had described the sealing of defaulting properties by the FCTA as unconstitutional. In a statement, she acknowledged the importance of tax compliance but argued that failure to pay ground rent does not justify what she termed the arbitrary seizure of property.
Reacting on Thursday in Abuja, Olayinka dismissed the senator’s position as “illogical,” accusing her of ignorance regarding the legal framework guiding land ownership in Nigeria.
“It is surprising that a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whose duty is to make laws, is ignorant of the provisions of Section 28, Subsections (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act,” Olayinka said.
Quoting the Act, he explained that the government has the legal right to revoke a statutory right of occupancy for breaching terms of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), including non-payment of ground rent.
“Is annual payment of ground rent not part of the terms contained in the C of O?” he asked.
The FCT minister’s aide stressed that land allocations come with specific conditions, and payment of ground rent must be made annually without the need for a demand notice.
He also accused Senator Kingibe of attempting to score cheap political points, adding, “If she were the FCT minister, would she tolerate property owners who refuse to pay ground rent for 10 to 43 years?”
The FCT Administration began revoking and taking over 4,794 properties across Abuja on Monday over unpaid ground rents amounting to over N6 billion. However, President Bola Tinubu has since issued a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their debts and avoid losing their properties.
English (US) ·