Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has labeled the sealing of properties by the FCT Administration as unconstitutional.
The FCT Minister Nyesom Wike-led administration has been rigorously cracking down on ground rent defaulters in an effort to increase revenue across the territory.
However, in a statement shared on her official X handle on Thursday, Senator Kingibe asserted that the FCTA lacks the authority to indiscriminately seal off properties due to unpaid ground rent.
She highlighted that, by law, the penalty for such default is restricted to a fine or surcharge.
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While acknowledging the FCTA’s right to enforce tax obligations, she maintained that this does not provide legal justification for the arbitrary takeover of properties.
She further argued that any revocation of land titles must adhere to due 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.
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