Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has imposed a N5 million fine on property owners in Abuja who converted their buildings to other uses without securing the necessary approvals.

In a public notice published on Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) gave the affected owners 30 days to regularise their titles or risk further sanctions.

Notable names on the list of affected property owners include Abdullahi Ganduje, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Olagunsoye Oyinlola, ex-governor of Osun State; former Supreme Court Justices Atanda Fatai-Williams and Aloma Mariam Mukhtar; as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

Most of the listed properties, located in highbrow districts such as Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Garki I and II, had been illegally converted from residential to commercial use.

“This is to notify the general public, particularly allottees and title holders of properties, that the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has approved a reviewed land use/purpose clause of properties on the underlisted streets/locations of the Federal Capital City,” the notice read in part.

The directive requires owners to pay a penalty fee of N5 million at the Department of Land Administration, Central Business District, Abuja, where they will also obtain letters of conveyance of approval for the land use conversion.

Wike also approved the issuance of fresh statutory rights of occupancy and certificates of occupancy, reflecting the updated land use for a fresh term of 99 years upon full compliance with all conditions.

However, the FCTA clarified that the exercise excludes properties whose titles were previously revoked due to non-development, non-payment of ground rent, or other infractions. (Adapted from a report by AriseNews TV)