“Land with Revoked C of O Returns To FCT Minister” — Lere Olayinka

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that any Certificate of Occupancy revoked by the FCT Administration automatically causes the affected land to revert to the minister, who holds it in trust for the President.

Olayinka stated this during an interview with Arise News on Monday night, while confirming that more than 1,000 property titles are being revoked across Abuja.

He stated that the revocation followed the owners’ failure to settle outstanding ground rent, land use conversion fees and Certificate of Occupancy charges after the 14-day deadline expired on November 25.

Olayinka said compliance levels have been higher despite concerns raised by some property owners, adding that compliance with land use conversion charges stood at about 50 per cent.

“We published 4,794 notices in May. As of today, more than 3,900 complied. That is more than 80%. So if you have 80% compliance, then you can say that people complied,” he explained.

According to him, once a property owner violates the terms of a Certificate of Occupancy, the law is clear on the consequences.

“The minister has taken those 1,095 titles. Section 28, 5A and B of the Land Use Act is very clear. Contravention of any conditions set in the CofO is automatic for the future of that title. But the government is putting some level of human face and not punishing minor contraventions,” he said.

Olayinka added that the FCTA could not be expected to compel defaulters individually.

“Some people probably choose not to comply based on reasons known to them, and the government would not be the one to force them to come and comply.

“If, as an examiner, you give an exam to 100 students and 80 students pass, the teacher cannot be blamed for the rest.  People complied. Those who did not comply, maybe they know why, maybe they no longer need the properties,” he remarked.

Olayinka also dismissed claims of widespread collusion in land documentation but said isolated cases could not be ruled out.

“Some of these things you see, I can’t rule out connivance inside. But government will not wake up tomorrow and say, This property no longer exists,” he said.

He noted that penalties for non-compliance include fines ranging between ₦2m and ₦5m.

“Those who did conversion must first pay the penalty. Over 50% of the properties in this category have been captured. The government is still monitoring other areas,” he added.

Emphasising that land administration in Abuja remains predictable, Olayinka said property owners who follow laid-down procedures will not face problems.

“Property is predictable. If you get proper allocation, follow procedures, and submit building plans for approval, you won’t have issues. The problem arises when people bypass rules and later blame the government,” he explained.