By Promise Dera
Copyright nigerianeye
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has approved the imposition of N5 million fines on several high-profile individuals and entities, including former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Dr.
Abdullahi Ganduje, the estate of late General Tunde Idiagbon, and former Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, for illegally converting residential properties to commercial uses without official approval.
The sanctions, announced through a public notice by the FCT Administration (FCTA), target 374 property owners across 15 upscale streets in districts such as Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Garki I, and Garki II.
These violations were uncovered during a review conducted by an ad-hoc committee inaugurated by Wike on August 8, 2025, to address widespread abuse of land allocation guidelines in Abuja.
The committee’s report highlighted how properties originally designated for residential purposes had been repurposed into hotels, banking halls, malls, and other commercial ventures, contravening the Land Use Act.
Specific cases include:
Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje: The former Kano State Governor and APC Chairman allegedly redesigned an approved residence at Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, into a banking hall without seeking necessary approvals.
Estate of Late General Tunde Idiagbon: A property registered in the name of the former Chief of Staff to the Head of State during the Babangida era, located at Gana Street, Maitama, was converted into Serendib Hotel and Suites.
Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola: The ex-Governor of Osun State is accused of transforming a residential plot at Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, into Zhouyi Hotel.
Other notable violators slapped with the N5 million penalty include former FCT Minister Abba Gana, whose residence at Usuma Street, Maitama, was turned into a mall; the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) for converting a residential property into NNPC Medical Services; and the Nigeria Police for repurposing a public space for the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA).
The fines also extend to former Chief Justices of Nigeria and various corporate bodies, underscoring the broad scope of the enforcement drive.In the public notice published in national dailies, the FCTA directed all affected owners to pay the penalty within 30 days, with a deadline of October 10, 2025.
Successful compliance will lead to the issuance of fresh Statutory Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) or Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O), along with new letters of conveyance approving the land use changes. Owners must present original title documents and valid identification at the Department of Land Administration to process these updates.
Failure to comply could result in title revocation, as warned by the administration.Wike, speaking after receiving the committee’s report earlier this month, emphasized the need for strict adherence to zoning laws to maintain Abuja’s master plan.
“I’m aware that certain areas are designated for residential and others for commercial, but people believe they can do anything without approval,” he stated. “If you don’t sanction them, it will continue. So if an area is commercial, let it be commercial. If it is mixed use, let it be mixed use. People should understand they can’t continue this way.”
The minister’s actions are part of a larger initiative to curb illegal developments, valued at over N1 trillion in affected properties, and to deter future violations.
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