The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in Wuse, Abuja, over the failure to pay ground rent spanning 34 years.
This enforcement action is part of a broader clampdown on property owners who have defaulted on statutory obligations tied to land ownership.
Documents obtained by Insight Media reveal that the property in question is officially allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited, not directly to Access Bank. In a letter dated March 13, 2025, and signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration, the FCTA confirmed the revocation of the property rights:
“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in exercise of powers under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, has revoked your rights, interests, and privileges over Plot No. 2456 in Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja.”
The FCTA cited persistent non-payment of ground rent as the basis for the action, stating:
“The revocation is due to your continued contravention of the terms of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rent for thirty-four (34) years.”
The letter also noted that multiple warnings and public notices were issued beginning in 2023, urging all allottees to settle outstanding debts.
This development follows the FCTA’s recent revocation of 4,794 land titles across major districts such as Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki. The mass action targets ground rent arrears accumulated over more than a decade. According to officials, 8,375 property owners collectively owe approximately ₦6.97 billion in unpaid rents—some dating back over 40 years.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike emphasized that the revocations are being carried out under Section 28(5) of the Land Use Act, which empowers the government to reclaim land from titleholders who fail to meet the conditions of their occupancy rights.
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