FCTA to Prosecute Property Owners Over N29bn Debt

The Federal Capital Territory Administration said it has concluded plans to prosecute no fewer than 413 property owners for failing to pay ground rent.

The FCTA said the move was part of efforts to recover over N29bn ground rent owed by property owners in the territory.

In a statement on Sunday, Muhammad Sule, who doubles as the Director, Information and Communication, FCT and Chairman, Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of FCT Debts Recovery Committee, said the prosecution, which are expected to commence at the end of August may lead to the forfeiture of the affected properties to the government in line with relevant laws.

The statement read, “It is disheartening that in spite of several appeals and warnings, some of the debtors have failed to pay their outstanding ground rents, thereby putting the fate of their properties on the balance.

“Accordingly, since all entreaties failed, the administration has no other option than to commence the prosecution of the first batch of defaulting property owners.

“The committee has earlier announced the engagement of five law firms, owned by Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who have been hired to prepare legal documents to commence legal action against the defaulting titleholders.

“Consequently, the committee wishes to warn that there will be no sacred cows as the law will surely take its course because, the only language it will understand is for the debtors to clear their outstanding debts.”