FCTA Seals FIRS Office, PDP Secretariat Over Alleged Unpaid Ground Rent

In a surprising move, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), as if in keeping with the alleged threats of its chief executive, Nyesom Wike, has sealed Wadata House, the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed this on Monday, May 26, 2025 via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

He disclosed that the FCTA also sealed an office of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the China Cultural Centre, both in Zone 5 Abuja, as well 4,791 other properties across the FCT.

According to Olayinka, the FCTA revoked the certificate of occupancy of the property due to the failure of its owner, Senator Samaila Mamman Kurfi, to pay the ground rent for 28 years, which has now accrued to N7,603,504.31.

He further disclosed that Senator Kurfi bought the property from Wadata Enterprises Nigeria Limited but later allowed the PDP to use it as its National Secretariat.

Wike’s spokesman further revealed that the China Cultural Centre in Zone 5 Abuja, which is owned by Jade Garden Restaurant Nigeria Limited, was revoked for not paying ground rent for 19 years.

The FIRS office located in Wuse Zone 5, which was among several high-profile properties affected, was also sealed for not paying ground rent for 25 years.

According to him, the enforcement is part of a broader operation aimed at recovering outstanding ground rent from defaulting individuals and organizations.

Others include a property occupied by Access Bank at Wuse Market, reportedly owing 34 years of rent arrears, and a Total filling station in Wuse Zone 3, which was also sealed.

This development follows the FCTA’s announcement last Friday that it would begin enforcement actions on Monday, May 26, 2025. The enforcement targets 4,794 properties recently revoked over non-payment of ground rent, with arrears ranging from 10 to 43 years.

During a press briefing, Olayinka was joined by the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, and the Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima.  

They stated that ownership of the affected properties across key districts, including Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, has now reverted to the government.

They also mentioned that the FCTA is completing a compliance audit for property owners previously granted a 21-day grace period to clear outstanding ground rent spanning one to ten years. Appropriate measures will be taken once the review is finalized.

Meanwhile, the FIRS has denied being indebted, claiming it had already made the necessary payments and provided documentary evidence. However, the payment is reportedly yet to be acknowledged by the FCTA.

This development signals a strict stance by the FCT Administration on property compliance, as it moves to enforce regulations regardless of the status or profile of occupants.