Wike Seals Access Bank, FIRS, Others Over Ground Rent in Abuja, FCT

By Emmanuel Kwada

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has ordered the sealing of several high-profile properties in Abuja, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office in Zone 5, an Access Bank branch in Wuse, and a Total Energies petrol station, over non-payment of ground rent spanning decades.

The enforcement, which began on Monday, marks a significant crackdown on property owners defaulting on statutory financial obligations in Nigeria’s capital city.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under Wike’s leadership, targeted these properties as part of a broader initiative to recover an estimated ₦6.97 billion in ground rent arrears owed by 8,375 property owners, some dating back over 40 years.

The FIRS office, reportedly in default for 25 years, and the Access Bank branch, linked to a plot allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited with unpaid dues for 34 years, were among the prominent closures. The Total Energies station in Wuse Zone 3 also faced similar action following the revocation of its land title.

“This is about compliance with the law,” Wike declared, citing Section 28(5) of the Land Use Act, which empowers the government to reclaim land from titleholders who fail to meet occupancy conditions.

This is about compliance with the law,” Wike declared, citing Section 28(5) of the Land Use Act, which empowers the government to reclaim land from titleholders who fail to meet occupancy conditions

“We are not targeting occupants but ensuring titleholders meet their obligations,” he added, addressing concerns raised by affected organizations. The FCTA had issued multiple notices since 2023, including a public announcement on March 18, 2025, revoking 4,794 land titles across key districts like Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to the FCT Minister, confirmed the closures via a statement on social media, emphasizing that the enforcement teams acted to boost compliance with financial obligations.

Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration, noted that the affected properties had been given a 21-day grace period to clear debts, with no legal impediments to the FCTA’s actions. “The administration is compiling lists of other defaulters, and more sanctions will follow if payments are not made,” Nwankwoeze warned.

The sealing of the FIRS office, a federal agency responsible for tax collection, has sparked particular controversy, with some critics questioning the irony of a revenue-generating body defaulting on its own obligations.

An attempt to stifle opposition,” though the FCTA insisted the actions were strictly legal and not driven by political motives

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose national secretariat was also targeted for revocation over 19 years of unpaid ground rent, condemned the move as politically motivated. PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba described it as “an attempt to stifle opposition,” though the FCTA insisted the actions were strictly legal and not driven by political motives.

The crackdown has already shown results, with the FCTA recovering over ₦1 billion daily in ground rent payments following Wike’s earlier ultimatums in 2023. Property owners are now rushing to settle debts to avoid further revocations.

The minister reiterated his commitment to maintaining orderly land administration, stating, “The law has been there; the issue is enforcement. We will not relent.”

As the FCTA continues its enforcement drive, the spotlight remains on Wike’s resolve to uphold land use regulations, even as debates swirl over the economic and political implications of targeting high-profile institutions.

The administration has assured residents that all actions will follow due process, aiming to ensure accountability and lawful use of public assets in the nation’s capital.

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