The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station in Wuse, Abuja, due to non-payment of ground rent spanning 34 years.

According to documentation reviewed by BenriNews, the affected property is officially allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited, not directly to Access Bank. The closures are part of a broader enforcement initiative targeting property owners who have defaulted on their statutory obligations.

A letter dated March 13, 2025, signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration, stated: "The Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 2456 within Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja."

The FCTA cited "continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for Thirty Four (34) years" as the reason for the revocation.

The letter also mentioned that several notices and publications had been issued since 2023, warning all allottees to clear outstanding bills.

Part of Larger Crackdown

These closures come amid a significant enforcement operation by the FCTA, which recently revoked 4,794 land titles across Abuja's prime districts—including Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki—over unpaid ground rents spanning more than a decade.

FCTA officials revealed that a total of 8,375 property owners owe approximately ₦6.97 billion in ground rent arrears, with some cases dating back over 40 years.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike emphasized that the revocations were executed in accordance with Section 28(5) of the Land Use Act, which permits the government to reclaim land from titleholders who fail to meet the conditions of their occupancy rights.

The administration has indicated that the enforcement actions will continue as part of efforts to recover outstanding debts and ensure compliance with property regulations in the Federal Capital Territory.