By Muhammad Mamman
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has nullified 485 land documents issued by Area Councils in Abuja, citing failure to pass official verification processes and confirming that several of the applications were found to be fraudulent.
The sweeping decision, announced on Monday, marks one of the most significant administrative crackdowns on land documentation irregularities in the Federal Capital Territory in recent years.
According to officials familiar with the review process, the revoked documents failed to meet statutory requirements set by the FCT Administration. The verification exercise reportedly uncovered discrepancies in documentation, procedural breaches and, in some cases, outright falsification of land allocation records.
Wike said the action was part of broader reforms aimed at sanitising land administration in the nation’s capital and restoring credibility to the system. “The integrity of land allocation in the FCT cannot be compromised,” he said, stressing that due process must be strictly followed in all transactions.
The minister warned that individuals and officials found complicit in issuing or processing fake land documents would face legal consequences. He added that the FCT Administration would intensify monitoring mechanisms to prevent future irregularities.
Land ownership disputes have long plagued Abuja, where rapid urban expansion and high property values have fuelled allegations of double allocations, forged titles and bureaucratic loopholes.
The latest move is expected to trigger legal challenges from affected parties, while also sending a strong signal to land speculators and fraudulent operators within the system.
Authorities have urged residents and prospective landowners to verify all land documents through official FCT channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent allocations.
