Anxiety is sweeping through Abuja’s property scene as Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, declares that any Certificate of Occupancy revoked by the FCTA automatically sends the land back to the minister, who is the custodian holding it in trust for the President.
Speaking on Arise News, Olayinka confirmed the shockwave hitting the capital, where over 1,000 property titles are being stripped from owners after they failed to clear debts and charges before the November 25 deadline.
He explained that many of the affected owners ignored demands to pay ground rent, land use conversion fees and C of O charges — triggering the ongoing mass forfeiture.
Despite complaints from some landlords, Olayinka insists compliance has actually been strong.
“We published 4,794 notices in May. As of today, more than 3,900 complied. That is more than 80%. So if you have 80% compliance, then you can say that people complied,” he said.
Olayinka stressed that the law is unforgiving once a landowner violates C of O terms.
“The minister has taken those 1,095 titles. Section 28, 5A and B of the Land Use Act is very clear. Contravention of any conditions set in the CofO is automatic for the future of that title. But the government is putting some level of human face and not punishing minor contraventions,” he noted.
According to him, the FCTA cannot go door-to-door begging defaulters.
“Some people probably choose not to comply based on reasons known to them, and the government would not be the one to force them to come and comply.
If, as an examiner, you give an exam to 100 students and 80 students pass, the teacher cannot be blamed for the rest. People complied. Those who did not comply, maybe they know why, maybe they no longer need the properties,” he remarked.
He dismissed rumours of widespread internal collusion but admitted isolated cases may exist.
“Some of these things you see, I can’t rule out connivance inside. But government will not wake up tomorrow and say, This property no longer exists,” he explained.
Penalties for defaulters are steep, between ₦2 million and ₦5 million, with the government still tracking more properties that may be affected.
“Those who did conversion must first pay the penalty. Over 50% of the properties in this category have been captured. The government is still monitoring other areas,” he said.
Olayinka ended with a warning, saying Abuja land is predictable, until you break the rules.
“Property is predictable. If you get proper allocation, follow procedures, and submit building plans for approval, you won’t have issues. The problem arises when people bypass rules and later blame the government,” he said.
