Senator Ireti Kingibe has condemned the FCTA and Minister Nyesom Wike for sealing properties of government agencies and families over unpaid ground rent. She described the evictions as illegal and in breach of the Land Use Act of 1975.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has rebuked the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under Minister Nyesom Wike for sealing properties belonging to government agencies and families over alleged unpaid ground rent.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kingibe said the Lands Use Act of 1975 does not explicitly allow for revocation of land solely based on ground rent default. She stressed that “no Nigerian property can be lawfully seized, revoked, or sealed solely on account of failure to pay ground rent.”
Citing Section 42 of the Land Use Act, the senator explained that penalties for non-payment are limited to fines or surcharges, not compulsory land revocation without due legal process.
“The penalty for such default is, by law, limited to a fine or surcharge, not the compulsory taking over or sealing of the property without recourse to the due process prescribed under Section 42 of the Land Use Act and other relevant provisions,” she said.
Kingibe warned that the unlawful enforcement could worsen the economic hardships faced by many Nigerians. “I cannot, and will not, stand idly by while residents are subjected to enforcement practices that contravene established laws and compound their suffering,” she added.
The senator also revealed she was exploring all legislative avenues to ensure that enforcement actions adhere to the rule of law, fairness, and compassion.
The FCTA recently sealed multiple properties, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office, citing unpaid ground rent as the reason.