The Federal Capital Territory Administration is considering taking action against landowners who defy the revocation orders issued by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and tamper with lands that have been revoked.
Muktar Galadima, the Director of the FCT Department of Development Control, made this announcement following the department’s intervention to prevent landowners from developing their plots, despite the revocation orders. During these interventions, department officials, accompanied by security personnel, confiscated construction equipment found on the sites and, in some cases, expelled workers, with some individuals being apprehended primarily for profiling.
Earlier reports indicated that the FCT minister had revoked approximately 165 land plots, as outlined in a document signed by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, on September 21, 2023. The revocations were attributed to violations and contraventions of the terms of land development as specified in Section 28(5) (a) & (b) of the Land Use Act.
Galadima, speaking to the press during the operation, revealed that the department had acted upon receiving information that certain landowners had returned to the revoked lands to continue their activities. He cautioned that those who fail to comply with the revocation orders may face legal prosecution.
“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 the site, we have already intimated our officials to be on the watch, 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.
The director also stated that he was unaware of reports that some of the landowners had taken the matter to court to seek redress, adding that even if it was so, court processes had to be communicated to the Administration.