FCT Minister Cracks Down on Land Defaulters with N5m Fine and 7.5% Charge

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved and imposed a N5 million fine on land title holders who have contravened the Land Use Act in the FCT. Additionally, a 7.5% charge on the Assessed Capital Value of properties converted without permission has been introduced. These measures aim to regulate land use and generate revenue for the FCT Administration.

A committee set up to address land abuse in the FCT found that numerous properties had been converted to residential, commercial, or mixed usage, contravening original agreements. The total capital value of these properties amounts to N1,037,478,716,500. The committee recommended various sanctions, including sealing properties, removing buildings, and revoking titles, if defaulters fail to pay the fines.

Payable within 30 days for contravening the Land Use Act
– 7.5% charge: On the Assessed Capital Value of properties converted without permission, payable within 30 days
Removing buildings and structures, revoking and withdrawing titles for non-compliance

Wike emphasized that the FCT Administration is interested in raising money to carry out projects and that no defaulter would be allowed to go scot-free. The minister’s decision aims to ensure compliance with land use regulations and generate revenue for development projects.

Land owners who have defaulted on payments or contravened the Land Use Act are expected to face the consequences of these new measures. The FCT Administration has warned that it will not hesitate to revoke titles or take back properties if owners fail to comply.

In a related development, the FCT Administration had previously granted a 14-day grace period to defaulters to settle their ground rents with associated penalties, following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu. This move indicates the government’s commitment to enforcing land use regulations and generating revenue for development projects .