Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has cautioned the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to strictly follow the rule of law in his move to enforce ground rent payments in Abuja.
Advertisement
Speaking during a recent interview on Channels Television, Falana emphasized that while it is legal to demand owed ground rents, the law requires that defaulters be taken to court before any sealing or demolition of properties can occur.
“Yes, people are owing. Too bad. But if you want to collect your money, you must go to court,” Falana said, urging the FCT Administration to approach the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal.
According to earlier reports, Wike had made headlines after publishing the names of over 9,000 ground rent defaulters in national newspapers. He further threatened that their properties could be sealed off or taken over.
Latest News
In May, the FCT Administration said that about 5,000 properties were under enforcement watch due to unpaid ground rents spanning 10 to 43 years. The government subsequently began sealing affected buildings, including one owned by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The enforcement was briefly halted after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened, giving a 14-day grace period for property owners to pay up. However, that window closed on Friday, June 6, 2025. With the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations ending, many expect the FCTA to resume enforcement immediately.
Falana, however, issued a firm reminder:
“The tribunal is the body with legal authority on demolition and sealing. We are in a democracy—everyone must operate within the law.”
Advertisement
This legal pushback has sparked a broader debate about government power, property rights, and due process in Nigeria’s capital. Many residents support rent enforcement but call for transparency and legal compliance.
The clash highlights a growing tension between administrative action and constitutional rights, especially in a politically charged city like Abuja.
#FalanaVsWike #GroundRentAbuja #FCTNews #PropertyRights #RuleOfLawNigeria #AbujaRealEstate #WikeUnderFire #FalanaSpeaks
Tags:
Abuja Politics
Falana Commentary
FCT Administration
Legal News
Nigerian governance
Politics
Property Law