The Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned former owners of 165 revoked lands in the FCT to stay clear of the properties or be prosecuted.

Mukhtar Galadima, an FCTA director, gave the warning when his team foiled an attempt by some of the owners of the revoked lands in Maitama, Abuja, to continue development on the sites. This, he described as “worrisome,” despite the revocation order placed on the lands.

Accompanied by some security personnel, the development control officials confiscated building equipment found on the sites, arrested some workers for profiling and chased others out of the sites.

FCT minister Nyesom Wike revoked 165 plots of land in the FCT for non-development of the properties. The revocation, according to the minister, is due to the continuous contravention of the terms of agreements as contained in section 28(5) (a) &(b) of the Land Use Act.

“The FCTA minister has revoked some plots for non-development and also gave the last warning on abandoned buildings since December 2022. It is unfortunate that those revoked properties some people are trying to come back and work on them, particularly on weekends,” said Mr Galadima.

The FCTA official added, “We got information that some owners of the revoked lands are moving to the site in violation of the order. We are on this operation to ensure that nobody goes back to all the revoked plots to work on them.

“We also want to use this opportunity to warn the public that any revoked property that somebody is trying to work on, the FCTA will not only remove such structures but will ensure prosecution of the person involved.”

When asked if any of the affected owners of the plots had gone to court to seek redress, Mr Galadima said, “I am not aware of anything like that. But if, at all, someone has gone to the court, then I will leave it to the court to decide, but for now, I am not aware of such.” 

(NAN)