FCT Minister Wike Allegedly Reallocates Family Land to Political Ally, Faces Senate Investigation

Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, widow of the late Ikponmwosa Paul-Ogbebor and owner of Paulosa Nigeria Limited, has accused the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, of reallocating her family’s 2.5 hectares of estate land in Life Camp, Abuja, to Saravera Nigeria Limited, allegedly controlled by Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

Lori-Ogbebor claims Wike approved the Right of Occupancy (R of O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for Saravera within two months, even though her family has held the property since 1984. She vowed to resist the injustice, emphasizing her family’s valid documents and partial payment of ₦10 million for ground rents, part of an overall ₦43 million fee.

The family reported that efforts to validate their allocation began during Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure as FCT Minister. Although the process was restarted in 2020 and approved in early 2023 by then-Minister Mohammed Musa Bello, complications arose when their plot number was found missing from the system, stalling further payments. Despite repeated assurances that the issue was awaiting the Minister’s approval, the plot was reportedly reallocated to Saravera Nigeria Limited, using the same plot number that had been missing.

Rita Lori-Ogbebor, 84, decried the treatment her family has endured despite their contributions to Abuja’s development. Her son, Osaruonanen, highlighted bureaucratic delays as a deliberate tactic to reallocate lands to cronies, a claim echoed by anonymous sources accusing Wike of empowering his political associates ahead of 2027 by reallocating lands in prime areas.

A quit notice was served on the family on November 22, 2024, followed by a demolition notice on December 9, 2024. The Ogbebors have requested clarification from the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), seeking documentation on the alleged infractions and steps to resolve the matter amicably. However, residents of the estate, occupied since 1991, vowed to resist any demolition attempts.

The Senate intervened, directing Wike to suspend demolitions and launching an investigation led by Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin. Meanwhile, Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, challenged claimants to provide genuine evidence of ownership, including Right of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy granted by the FCTA.

Source: Sahara Reporters