FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe has condemned the FCT Administration’s recent sealing of properties, calling the actions illegal and beyond the scope of ground rent default penalties.
OBSERVERS TIMES reports that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s administration has been aggressively sealing properties in a push to boost revenue through ground rent collection. However, in a statement on her official X handle, Senator Kingibe asserted that the FCTA lacks the authority to arbitrarily seal properties for unpaid ground rent.
She clarified that the law limits penalties for such defaults to fines or surcharges, not the arbitrary takeover of assets. While acknowledging the FCTA’s right to enforce tax obligations, she maintained that this does not provide a legal basis for seizing properties. Kingibe further argued that any revocation of land titles must adhere to strict legal processes outlined in the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act.
“I am deeply concerned by the growing number of reports regarding the sealing of properties across the Federal Capital Territory by various government agencies,” the statement read. “While the enforcement of regulations and tax obligations is necessary, such actions must be carried out within the bounds of legality, fairness, and sensitivity to the current economic realities faced by residents.”
She emphasized that ground rent, a tax collected by state governments on granted land, does not justify arbitrary property takeovers. Kingibe concluded by stating that while the government can revoke land for overriding public interest, this must follow due legal process, including compensation.
FCT Senator Kingibe Declares Property Sealing by Wike’s Admin Illegal
Senator Ireti Kingibe states FCTA has no power to seal properties over ground rent, citing constitutional limits and due process requirements.
The FCT Administration’s recent crackdown on ground rent defaulters, led by Minister Nyesom Wike, has drawn sharp criticism from FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe. According to DAILY NIGERIAN, the minister aims to increase revenue through these measures. However, Senator Kingibe, in a statement on her official X handle, lambasted the actions as unconstitutional.
She argued that the FCTA is overstepping its bounds by indiscriminately sealing properties for ground rent defaults, noting that the legal penalty is restricted to a fine or surcharge. While acknowledging the FCTA’s right to enforce tax compliance, Kingibe stressed that this does not grant them the power to arbitrarily seize properties. She underscored that any land title revocation must strictly adhere to the legal processes stipulated in the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act.
“It is important to clarify that ground rent… is not grounds for arbitrary property takeover,” her statement read. “While the government retains the constitutional power to revoke land for overriding public interest, such revocation must strictly follow due legal process… including the payment of due compensation.” She expressed deep concern over the reports of sealed properties, urging that enforcement actions be conducted with legality, fairness, and sensitivity to residents’ economic challenges.
