Senator Ireti Kingibe slams illegal FCT property seizures, vows legislative action
On Thursday, May 29, Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), issued a forceful statement condemning the escalating trend of indiscriminate property sealings by government agencies in Abuja.
Citing a flood of complaints from residents and business owners, the senator warned that these actions are not only unjust but in clear violation of constitutional and statutory provisions.
The crackdown, reportedly linked to the enforcement of ground rent payments, has triggered widespread anxiety across the FCT. While Kingibe acknowledged the necessity of tax enforcement, she emphasized that it must be conducted within the bounds of due process.
“Ground rent, by law, does not justify arbitrary property takeovers,” she said. “The penalty for non-payment is limited to fines or surcharges—not revocation or sealing—unless due legal processes are followed.”
Drawing attention to the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act, Kingibe reminded agencies that revoking land or sealing properties without proper notice, engagement, or compensation constitutes a breach of both legal and moral obligations.
“These actions only serve to deepen the hardship faced by families and businesses in the FCT. They erode public trust in institutions and destabilize the delicate socio-economic balance in our communities,” she warned.
The senator expressed outrage at what she described as “abrupt” and “unlawful” enforcement measures that fail to follow established legal procedures. She reaffirmed her commitment to defending the rights of FCT residents and disclosed that she is engaging with relevant authorities while considering legislative interventions to halt what she termed abusive practices.
“As your elected representative, I will not stand by while residents suffer from enforcement measures that ignore the rule of law and compound their economic woes,” she declared.
Kingibe called on affected residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that efforts are underway to ensure fair, transparent, and just enforcement of land and tax laws.
Her statement comes amid mounting tension in the FCT, where numerous property owners have accused government agencies of locking up homes and business premises without adequate notice or legal recourse. Analysts suggest Kingibe’s intervention could ignite broader policy debates on balancing revenue enforcement with legal safeguards and economic sensitivity.
