FCTA moves to reclaim Riverpark Estate lands, declares developers trespassers

…suspends all approvals, orders fresh audit of estate

…bans dealings with Paulo Homes, JonahCapital, others over scandal

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced sweeping reforms in land administration, declaring that undeveloped portions of land within Riverpark Estate will be reclaimed, while developers operating without authorization are to be treated as trespassers.

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who made the declaration in Abuja, said the measures were necessary to restore order to the capital city’s land system and end the culture of impunity that has thrived for years.

“If I say it will be commercial, let it be that it is commercial. If I say it will be mixed use, let it be that it will be mixed use. People should keep from hearing that you can’t continue, it can’t be business as usual,” Wike said.

The minister approved recommendations of a ministerial review committee which declared that the Development Lease Agreement (DLA) for Riverpark Estate had “lapsed by effluxion of time and stands void by reason of fundamental breach.”

The committee also concluded that multiple entities currently laying claim to the estate were “in effect, trespassers.”
In line with the report, Wike ordered the withdrawal of undeveloped plots within the estate and directed that compliant homeowners who developed in line with approved planning regulations would retain their titles.

“Allottees who have not contravened the terms and conditions of their Rights of Occupancy will not be affected. But anybody who does not comply, we have no choice but to revoke the title and withdraw it, and then we will be in a position to decide what to do with it,” the minister warned.

He further announced the immediate suspension of all ongoing approvals, title processing, and construction activities within Riverpark pending a comprehensive physical audit of existing developments.

As part of corrective measures, Wike directed the FCTA to cease all dealings with Paulo Homes Limited, JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, and Common Consultants Limited in respect of Riverpark, except under express ministerial mandate.

“When they bring C-of-Os, there’s no history that this person applies for this at this time, and that’s why I say you must submit copies so that the General Counsel will make a memo for me to formally void those C-of-Os because there is no basis,” he declared.

The minister, however, assured residents who had purchased homes in good faith that they would not be punished for the fraudulent actions of developers.

“We will try as much as possible that innocent subscribers will not be penalized. The only problem will be they may have paid to Paulo Homes, but that is not our fault. If you’re dealing with an umbrella, so be it. If you’re dealing with a criminal, so be it,” Wike said.

The review committee also recommended the creation of a Transitional Special Management Committee (TSMC) comprising FCTA officials, the Riverpark Estate Residents Association, and security agencies to harmonize the list of legitimate subscribers and facilitate the issuance of fresh titles.

In addition, Wike approved that all affected and verified subscribers will be issued new Rights of Occupancy and Certificates of Occupancy under fresh 99-year lease terms.

“Titles in respect of land and properties affected by land use changes shall be revoked to pave way for issuance of fresh title documents,” the committee recommended, a directive the minister adopted.

The ministerial review committee recommended that those with genuine customary allocations, including magistrates and Area Council staff, who have developed their plots in line with planning approvals, would be protected.

“Direct that holders of previous ‘customary’ titles whose plots fall within the Riverpark Estate boundaries and who have developed in accordance with applicable planning and development control regulations be permitted to retain their titles. This recommendation aligns with the subsisting court judgment referenced in paragraph 16.3.”

Minister Nyesom Wike endorsed the recommendation, adding that the corrective measures were designed to tackle illegal conversions and fraudulent allocations, not to punish innocent homeowners.

The FCTA also introduced a new framework for land use conversion across the city. Holders of properties converted from residential to commercial use are to pay a Land Use Conversion fee of 7.5% of the assessed capital value of their property within 30 days of approval.

“Residents will pay conversion fees, and enforcement actions, including sealing of properties and revocation, will apply if all required payments are not made within the stipulated time,” the report stated.

The minister reiterated that the reforms were designed to protect the integrity of Abuja’s masterplan while ensuring justice for genuine homeowners.

“We don’t want them to lose their property they have acquired, but that of having a new C-of-O, we have to,” he said.

The committees inaugurated on August 8 have been given a two-week timeframe to conclude their work, with Wike warning that the FCTA would enforce every recommendation to the letter.

“This administration will not tolerate lawlessness in land administration. We must apply sanctions as required, otherwise Abuja will collapse under abuse and impunity,” the minister concluded.