Actions may soon be taken by the Federal Capital Territory Administration against landowners who have violated the land revocation orders previously issued by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Following a breach of the land revocation order, Muktar Galadima, the Director of the FCT Department of Development Control, hinted at potential actions as his officials intervened to prevent landowners from further development on their properties.
Assisted by security personnel, the officials impounded construction machinery identified at the locations and dispersed certain labourers, with the majority being apprehended mainly for profiling reasons.
Africa Today News, New York, has reported that the FCT minister recently authorised the revocation of around 165 land plots. This decision was formalised in a document signed by FCTA Permanent Secretary Olusade Adesola on September 21, 2023.
The document states that the lands were revoked because they did not comply with and breached the terms governing the development of Rights of Occupancy, as outlined in Section 28(5)(a) & (b) of the Land Use Act.
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In a conversation with journalists, while the operation was underway, Galadima shared that the department had initiated action based on reports that some landowners had returned to the revoked properties to resume their activities. He issued a warning, suggesting that those in breach of the order could face legal action.
‘So, we are on this operation to ensure that all the revoked plots, nobody goes back and works on them, and also to use this opportunity to call on the public that any revoked property that somebody is trying to work on, definitely the Administration will not only remove such structures, but will also ensure prosecution of the person involved.’
‘The revocation just commenced last week and then we just got information that some people wanted to go back to site, and we have already intimated our officials to be on the watch out, to make sure that nobody goes back to work, because any officials found wanting will be severely dealt with in accordance with the laid down civil service rules and regulations,’ Galadima said.
Furthermore, the director stated that he had no prior knowledge of reports indicating that some landowners had taken their grievances to court. He emphasised that, if such legal actions were indeed underway, they should be properly communicated to the Administration.