Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a strong rebuttal to allegations of land grabbing under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). Olayinka challenged those spreading such claims on social media to provide verifiable evidence of land ownership, urging for factual investigation before making public accusations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Olayinka highlighted the need for social media activists to exercise caution, emphasizing the importance of verifying claims from all sides. He referenced a recent controversy involving a plot of land located in Life Camp, specifically Plot No. 2241 in Gwarimpa District, Cadastral Zone C02, Abuja, where ownership disputes have emerged.
The Case of Paulosa Nigeria Limited
According to Olayinka, the plot in question had been occupied by Paulosa Nigeria Limited since 1984 under a Temporary Right of Occupancy. Over the years, the company reportedly constructed permanent structures on the land and rented them out without obtaining the necessary government approvals.
In November 2020, after 36 years of occupying the land, Paulosa Nigeria Limited applied for the conversion of its Temporary Right of Occupancy to a Statutory Right of Occupancy. This request was approved on February 1, 2023, by the then FCT Minister, subject to specific terms and conditions.
Among the stipulated conditions were:
Payment of Ground Rent: N50,000 per square meter annually from 2022 to 2023, amounting to N2,332,143.
Payment of Premium: N500 per square meter, totaling N11,660,715.
Arrears of Ground Rent: From 1984 to 2021, totaling N43,144,645.
Olayinka explained that despite these approvals, Paulosa Nigeria Limited failed to meet the financial and regulatory requirements within the given 20-month timeframe. Consequently, the FCTA revoked the approval on October 10, 2024.
“No Ownership Claim”
Olayinka clarified that Paulosa Nigeria Limited never owned the land, as it failed to fulfill the terms necessary to convert its temporary status into statutory ownership. He compared the situation to a student who, despite receiving an admission offer, loses their place by failing to pay fees or meet enrollment conditions.
Call for Responsible Activism
Olayinka also criticized self-proclaimed social media human rights activists for their failure to verify facts before amplifying claims. He urged such individuals to seek accurate information from relevant authorities to avoid misleading the public.
“For example, if the individual who made the recent viral video had conducted proper investigations, they would have discovered the truth and avoided spreading falsehood,” Olayinka remarked.
He further took a swipe at critics he described as unqualified legal commentators, stating:
“The other day, a self-taught online lawyer accused the FCT Minister of grabbing someone’s land. If such a person had taken the time to approach the appropriate government agency, they would have understood that using land allocated for a recreation park to build schools or churches violates the allocation terms.”
A Call for Due Diligence
Olayinka concluded by reiterating the need for social media advocates to verify claims and avoid being used to propagate misinformation. He emphasized that allegations without evidence only serve to mislead the public and undermine genuine advocacy efforts.
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