The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Ireti Kingibe, has challenged the sealing of property by the FCTA, describing it as unconstitutional.
In a statement dated May 26, 2025, and posted on her official X handle on Thursday, the senator stated that although enforcement of tax obligations was necessary, defaulting in ground rent payments was no legal ground for arbitrary takeover of property.
She noted that by law, the penalty was limited to a fine or surcharge.
Recall that the FCT Administration had on Monday begun sealing property of defaulters of ground rent payments, including the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party and offices of the National Agency for Trafficking in Persons, Access Bank, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
Later that day, President Bola Tinubu intervened, giving defaulters a 14-day ultimatum within which to make payments of monies owed, as well as penalties, as announced by the FCT’s Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze.
However, Kingibe argued that any revocation of land titles must follow legal processes as stipulated under the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act.
The statement reads, “I am deeply concerned by the growing number of reports regarding the sealing of properties across the Federal Capital Territory by various government agencies.
“While the enforcement of regulations and tax obligations is necessary, such actions must be carried out within the bounds of legality, fairness, and sensitivity to the current economic realities faced by residents.
“It is important to clarify that ground rent, a tax charged and collected by state governments on land granted pursuant to the Lands (Title Vesting, etc.) Act of 1975, is not grounds for arbitrary property takeover.
“While the government retains the constitutional power to revoke land for overriding public interest, such revocation must strictly follow due legal process as stipulated under the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act, including the payment of due compensation.
“Therefore, no Nigerian’s property can be lawfully seized, revoked, or sealed solely on account of failure to pay ground rent. The penalty for such default is, by law, limited to a fine or surcharge, not the compulsory taking over or sealing of the property without recourse to the due process prescribed under Section 42 of the Land Use Act and other relevant provisions.”
She described the act as indiscriminate and said she was engaging relevant authorities and exploring legislative avenues to ensure that actions taken by the FCTA followed legal processes.
“The indiscriminate and sometimes abrupt sealing of properties, often executed without proper notice, engagement, or adherence to legal procedure, only serves to deepen the economic distress of individuals, families, and business owners already facing mounting hardship.
“These actions undermine livelihoods, erode public trust in institutions, and risk destabilising the fragile balance of social and economic stability within the FCT.
“As the elected Senator of the Federal Capital Territory, I cannot, and will not, stand idly by while residents are subjected to enforcement practices that contravene established laws and compound their suffering.
“I am actively engaging with relevant authorities and exploring all legislative avenues to ensure that any enforcement actions taken are consistent with the rule of law, fairness, and compassion.
“I urge all residents and business owners to remain calm and law-abiding. Please rest assured that this matter is being addressed with the seriousness it deserves. We are committed to ensuring that dialogue, justice, and due process prevail,” she added.
