FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has fined Abdullahi Ganduje and other elites for illegal property conversions.
The sanctions, covering estates and institutions, demand N5 million per property before new titles are issued.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has imposed penalties on former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, alongside several other high-profile Nigerians, for illegally altering the designated use of their properties in Abuja.
According to a public notice, the affected individuals, institutions, and even estates of deceased persons were found guilty of converting lands to purposes not originally approved under the rights of occupancy. The fine, set at N5 million per property, must be paid within 30 days, with a deadline of September 10, 2025.
The sanctions followed a comprehensive review of land use in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse 2, Garki 1, and Garki 2. Wike also directed that new title documents reflecting the updated land purposes would be issued for a fresh 99-year term once the penalties and other requirements are met.
The FCT Administration stated that Ganduje converted a residential property on Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, into a banking facility without approval. Similarly, a Maitama property owned by the late General Tunde Idiagbon was turned into Serendib Hotel and Suites, while Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former governor of Osun State, allegedly transformed his Asokoro residence into Zhouyi Hotel.
Two former Chief Justices of Nigeria were also cited. Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams’ Maitama property was reportedly converted into a wood-processing and retail centre, while Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar’s land was turned into a supermarket.
Other prominent figures named include Senator Shehu Sani, whose Aminu Kano Crescent residence was repurposed as a showroom; Okauru Okauru, former Director-General of the Governors Forum, who allegedly did the same; Lt. Gen. Rufus Kupolati, who converted his residence into a gym; and former FCT Minister Abba Gana, whose Maitama property was redesigned as a shopping mall.
Institutions were not exempt from the sanctions. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited was penalized for converting a residence into its medical services unit, while the Nigeria Police reportedly converted a designated public space for the use of its Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA).
