Why I Revoked Multi-Million Naira Land Allocated 40 Years Ago — Wike

Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has explained why a land belonging to Paulosa Nigeria Ltd was revoked and dismissed allegations of land grabbing against the FCT Administration (FCTA).

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Olayinka refuted claims circulating on social media that the FCTA illegally seized the land belonging to the construction company.

He clarified that the land in question, located in Life Camp, Plot 2241, Gwarinpa District, Cadastral Zone C02, Abuja, was legally reclaimed after the occupants failed to meet stipulated terms and conditions.

Olayinka challenged the accusers to provide a Right of Occupancy (R of O) or Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) granted by the FCTA to substantiate their claims.

He explained that the land had been temporarily allocated to Paulosa Nigeria Ltd in 1984, nearly 40 years ago, as a site for a temporary office.

However, the company went on to construct permanent buildings on the land and rent them out without obtaining proper government approval.

“For 36 years, the company occupied the land without approval. Then, on November 18, 2020, the company applied for the conversion of the temporary R of O to a statutory R of O. On February 1, 2023, approval was granted, subject to fulfilling specific terms and conditions, which included financial obligations,” Olayinka said.

Olayinka said payment of Ground Rent per square meter per annum, which was N50,000 per square metre from 2022 to 2023, amounted to N2.33m. The ground rent arrears from 1984 to 2021 totaled N43.14m.

“The company was also asked to pay a premium of N500 per square metre, amounting to N11.66m and payment of ground rent from 1984 to 2021 (37 years), amounting to N43.14m.

“However, for 20 months, Paulosa Nigeria Ltd refused to comply with the terms and conditions for the approval. Upon the failure of the company to comply with the terms and conditions for approval granted for a R of O on the said land, the approval was revoked on October 10, 2024, more than 20 months after it was given,” he explained, adding that the revocation followed due process and legal guidelines.

While comparing the situation to a university admission process, Olayinka said, “If a student offered admission fails to pay the required fees and meet the conditions, the admission cannot stand. Similarly, Paulosa Nigeria Ltd cannot claim ownership of the land after failing to meet the terms.

“If the person who took his time to do the video had taken a simple step to investigate further, he would have been well informed, and refused to be used to mislead the public.

“If he had studied law properly, he would have taken the proper step of approaching relevant government agencies for information on the said land,” he said.

He also addressed another case involving a lawyer who accused the minister of land grabbing, saying that the use of land for purposes other than its approved allocation constitutes a violation.

“The lawyer would have been properly schooled that when you get allocation for a recreation park, building a school and a church on the land is a clear contravention of the condition for which the land was allocated,” Olayinka said and noted the importance of compliance with FCTA regulations.

Olayinka called on agitators to avoid being tools for spreading misinformation and urged them to seek accurate information from relevant government agencies before making public statements.

Why I Revoked Multi-Million Naira Land Allocated 40 Years Ago — Wike is first published on The Whistler Newspaper