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FCT Minister revokes lands of Buhari and top Government officials
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has annulled land titles owned by several high-profile individuals, including the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation, former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, clarified on Thursday that the former president was not personally the owner of the revoked land. Instead, the plot was allocated to the “Muhammadu Buhari Foundation.” Shehu explained that the foundation was established by individuals close to Buhari, operating legally with support from well-meaning people. However, they faced challenges with the FCTA, which imposed a high and disproportionate fee for the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O), suggesting a possible error or intentional obstruction.
The FCTA announced the revocation of 762 land plots in Maitama District on Thursday, citing non-payment of required statutory fees and C-of-O charges, leading to the forfeiture of these properties. The revocation was carried out under Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which allows the Minister to withdraw land rights for non-payment.
The FCTA also warned 614 other individuals and organizations that their land rights would be revoked if they did not settle their outstanding fees within two weeks.
Among those affected by the revocation were the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation, Walter Onnoghen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, George Akume and his wife Regina, Kaduna Governor Uba Sani, as well as various former and current lawmakers such as Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, former Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche, ex-Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, and former Representatives Nnenna Ukeje, Andy Uba, and Smart Adeyemi.
