FCTA SEALS FIRS, IBRO HOTEL, TOTAL, OTHERS AS CLAMPDOWN ON PROPERTIES OWING GROUND RENT CONTINUES EVEN AS FIRS DENIES OWING
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday, sealed the premises of Access Bank; the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Ibro Hotel; and Total Energy in Abuja, due to long-standing non-payment of ground rent.
The enforcement, which began in the Wuse district, was led by the Director of Development Control, Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima, and officials from the Department of Land Administration.
The exercise followed a public notice by the FCTA, vowing to reclaim all titles revoked over non-compliance with statutory obligations.
Speaking during the sealing of Plot 534, Cadastral Zone A02, Wuse Zone 1, belonging to Total PLC, Galadima said, “Today is about walking the talk. We announced this earlier, and we are here to implement what we said to take possession of all revoked properties, starting with this plot.”
He noted that the Total PLC property had accumulated over 10 years of unpaid ground rent, leading to its revocation in March 2025.
Also sealed was the Access Bank branch located on Plot 2456, Wuse 1, Cadastral Zone A02. The property, however, belongs to Rana Taher Furniture Nigeria Limited and was revoked due to 34 years of unpaid ground rent.
Galadima said the enforcement would proceed to other parts of the city, including the Central Area, after the Wuse district. He warned allottees with outstanding ground rent liabilities to act swiftly or risk similar enforcement measures.
The FCTA has been vocal about improving revenue generation through strict enforcement of land administration policies, under the leadership of FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike
Also speaking, the Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, clarified that: “This building is currently occupied by Access Bank PLC, but the title belongs to a private company. The debt has spanned 34 years, and as such, the title has reverted to the FCTA.”
He further revealed that the FIRS building located in Wuse Zone 5 was sealed for owing 25 years of ground rent. “This marks the beginning of repossession of over 4,794 revoked properties across the territory,” Nwankwoeze said.
According to him, the affected plots have legally reverted to government ownership, and all occupants must vacate or resolve their land title issues through official channels.
adedeji
In a statement released via X, Arabirin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, accused the FCTA, led by Minister Nyesom Wike, of targeting the agency.
“It’s so unprofessional of the Wike-led FCTA to close our office, distracting staff going about their duties when we did nothing wrong,” Atoyebi stated
“Especially in a crucial week like this when we are looking forward to signing the Tax Reform Bills. FCTA, you goofed big time, FIRS isn’t owing you.”
She further accused the FCTA of attempting to use the FIRS as a scapegoat.
“If you are looking for a fall guy, please move further, we shouldn’t be your scapegoat when you know well that the lies you spread in the media& your malicious/illegal action will hurt our operations.
“FIRS is not owing for 25 years. We have paid until 2023. We have the evidence,” she said.
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