Wike Drops Hammer: ₦5m Fine Awaits FCT Land Defaulters – ‘If You Fall Into My Trap, It’s Your Business

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved a ₦5 million fine, payable within 30 days, for land allottees and title holders who have violated the provisions of the Land Use Act in Abuja.

Wike gave the directive on Tuesday after receiving the report of the committee set up to investigate land use violations in the FCT.

In addition to the fine, the minister also endorsed a 7.5% charge on the assessed capital value of properties that were converted without the consent of the FCT Administration, also payable within 30 days.

The committees, inaugurated on August 8, 2025, were tasked with tackling cases of abuse of land use clauses across the city. Their findings revealed that several properties in prime areas, including Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Aminu Kano Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Street, and Gana Street, had been illegally converted for residential, commercial, or mixed-use purposes.

Committee chairman and Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, reported that the affected properties carried a combined capital value of over ₦1 trillion. He recommended sanctions such as sealing off buildings, demolition, withdrawal, or outright revocation of titles if defaulters failed to comply with the penalties.

Wike, while commending the committee, insisted that no offender would escape sanctions, stressing that the administration was determined to raise funds for infrastructure projects.

“I will not allow anyone to go unpunished. We need money to fund projects, and if you fall into our trap, that’s your problem. If you refuse to pay, we will take back your title, sell it, and still generate revenue. You must pay the penalty as well as the conversion fees—they are two separate obligations,” Wike said.

He further warned that the culture of arbitrarily converting properties against government approvals must stop, as some owners had unlawfully turned residential spaces into commercial ones and vice versa.