The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a two-week ultimatum to owners of 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or face the final revocation of their allocations.

In a statement on Thursday, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the FCT Minister, emphasised that the government’s priority was not to strip people of their lands but to ensure they fulfil their payment obligations.

“After 3 January 2025, there will be no further extensions, and the process of withdrawing Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles from defaulters will begin,” the statement read.

It was recalled that on 5 October 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees and titleholders who had yet to pay for their C-of-O was published. These individuals were given two weeks to settle their outstanding bills or risk losing their R-of-O titles. Of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762 in default.

Yesterday, a notice of withdrawal of R-of-O titles for the 762 defaulters was issued. However, following significant responses from affected allottees expressing readiness to make payments, the government decided to grant a final two-week grace period.

“As a result, the 762 allottees, along with 614 others who still owe payments on their C-of-O, have until 3 January 2025 to pay. Failure to comply will result in the withdrawal of their R-of-O titles under the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978,” the statement concluded.