Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, wife of Late Ikponmwosa Paul-Ogbebor, owner of Paulosa Nigeria Limited has accused the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike of granting approval for the Right of Occupancy ( R of O ) and Certificate of Occupancy ( C of O) of their 2.5 hectares of estate land to Saravera Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly owned by the House of Representatives Minority Leader , Kingsley Chinda.
She said she would fight the injustice of the purported re-allocation of her land to Wike’s political associate after the said property has been allocated to her family since 1984.
Paulosa Nigeria Limited is one of the pioneer construction companies that developed Federal Capital Territory Abuja with its residential estate located in Life Camp.
Rita Lori, while addressing a press conference in Abuja on the challenges they have faced with the FCTA over the property, wondered how the company could have gotten Ministerial approval for the title documents of both (R of O) and (C of O) within two months of application for land.
The dispute arises from allegations of land use violations and unpaid land charges, which the Minister claims justify revoking land titles and imposing penalties on landowners, including the Ogbebor family.
The Minister also alleged and branded the estate as a construction site that has become hideous for the criminals.
But contrary to the Minister’s claim
Rita Lori-Ogbebor said they have all the valid documents which entitled them to the property as owner.
The 84-year-old business woman alongside her child said their family does not deserve to be treated in such a way despite her contribution to National development.
The family while tendering the evidence of part payment of the sum of N10,000,000:00 for ground rents said there was no timeline for the payment title documents in the document handed over to them by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Ogbebor family insisted that they have the right to be notified of the deadline and consequences of not paying the balance before serving them quit and demolition notice under one week and revocation letter on 9th December 2024.
The octogenarian voiced her frustration at the situation, stressing that the family’s land rights were being threatened despite their long-standing adherence to regulations.
I‘ll Rather Die Instead of Begging President
Reflecting on her long history of service to Nigeria, Rita Lori-Ogbebor emphasised that at the age of 84, she should not have to appeal to the President to protect her family’s rights.
Chief Lori-Ogbebor highlighted her late husband’s significant contributions to the development of Abuja, including his role in bringing people from around the world to help build the city, and noted that after more than 40 years, their property was now at risk of demolition and reallocation.
She stated, “Having worked in this country as I should, I see no reason to go searching for my saviour. I have always done the right things here. I’ve never asked this country for anything—no contracts or favours from any president or anybody.
“At the age of 84, I shouldn’t have to ask the President to intervene because someone is demolishing my house. I would rather die and tell my story to Nigerians and let them decide if they will contribute to the cause.”
“ After 42 years they want to demolish our property and give it to Chinda. Who is Chinda? If you check Chinda’s age today and the period we have been here Chinda was just 14 years.
“ I listened to Wike, I was sad. Take away 42 years away from his age, he was still in secondary school. Is that not belittling me at the age of 84 to go and meet the President that Wike wants to demolish my house. I ‘d rather die.”
The family had initiated the process to validate their land allocation in 2020, which had originally been approved during Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure as FCT Minister. In early 2023, the FCTA Minister Mohammed Musa Bello approved their request to restart the process.
However, complications arose when the family discovered that their plot number was missing from the system, making it impossible to generate receipts and complete further payments.
The issue led to the requirement of a new plot number, which the family was still awaiting approval for as of last year.
Osaruonanen Ogbebor, one of Rita Lori-Ogbebor’s sons, explained that their attempts to resolve the matter had been stalled by bureaucratic delays, with their file said to be awaiting approval on the FCTA Minister’s desk.
Osaruonanen emphasised that the failure to generate a plot number and process payments had led to unnecessary delays in resolving the issue.
He stated, “During Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure as FCT Minister, when recertification, verification, and validation of documents and land allocations were conducted, we initiated the process. After El-Rufai left, in 2020, we requested to restart the process. Then, the FCT Minister Mohammed Musa Bello approved it on 1 February 2023, and we made an initial deposit of N10 million.
“During the process of obtaining receipts, it was discovered that our plot number was not in the system. Without a plot number, a receipt cannot be generated, and further payments cannot be made due to improvements on the Remita platform. A plot number is now mandatory for any payment. They conducted a survey plan, which was required to issue us a new plot number. Since that survey plan last year, communication has been, ‘The file is on the FCT Minister’s table for approval.'”
Meanwhile, the Ogbebor family discovered that their plot had been reallocated to Saravera Nigeria Limited, a company not involved in the initial land allocation, with the same plot number that had been missing from the system.
Ikponmwosa Ogbebor, one of the sons said they made the initial deposit of N10,000,000:00 out of N43, 000,000,00 charge to the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) on 1st February 2023 when the approval was granted to them.
“We find out that our Plot Number was not on the system and if you don’t have Plot Number on the system they cannot generate receipts for you. If you generate Remita for payment you must put your Plot Number and if you don’t put it , you can’t make the payment.
“They came to do a survey plan which is part of the requirement to give us Plot Number but since then they keep telling us that the file is still on the Minister’s table”
Right Occupancy Granted In 1984
In a document with Ref. No FCDA/ELA.137 titled “ Conveyance of Approval of Temporary Right of Occupancy” made available to The Trumpet Newspaper the property was allocated to Paulosa Nigeria Limited on 17th August 1984.
The letter which was signed by N.A Ali, Senior Estate Officer ( Lands ) reads “
CONVEYANCE OF APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY
“I am directed to refer to your application for temporary right of occupancy within the Federal Capital Territory dated 25th August, 1961 and to convey the Honourable Minister’s approval of a grant of right of occupancy in about 2.50 hectares bounded by the respect of following pillars. Plot TP. 24, 2, 90, 39, 3, and 5.
“You are not to erect or build or perait to be erected or build on the said land any building other than those permitted to be erected by virtue of this right of occupancy not to make or permit to be made any addition or alteration to the said buildings to be erected or buildings already created on the land except in accordance with plans and specifications hoved by the or other Officer appointed, by the Head of State.
“You are not to allocate or any part thereof by sale, assignment, mortgage transfer or possession, sublease or bequest or other-wise however without the consent of the Head or State first hand and obtained.
“The date of commencement of this right of occupancy will be the date of acceptance as signified by you and should be within two months from the date of this letter or the date you first occupied the land.
“I attach, herewith (two copies of) letter of acceptance for your completion and there-after return a copy came to me for my records purpose please.
“Yours Faithfully
N.A Ali , Senior Estate Officer ( Lands)”
Requests for Clarification on Quit Notice
While seeking clarification and resolution on the quit notice issued on 22nd November 2024 and demolition notice issued on 9th November 2024 Paulosa Nigeria Limited had in a letter requested for a detailed explanation of the alleged infractions or violations and copies of any relevant documents or reports that led to the issuance of the notice.
The company also requested for Information on any steps required to comply with AMMC regulations and resolve this matter amicably.
In a letter dated 2ith November 2023 addressed to the Director Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) with the title “ REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION AND RESOLUTION QUIT NOTICE ISSUED TO PAULOSA NIGERIA LIMITED AT LIFE CAMP ABUJA”
The letter read “ We write in reference to the quit notice served on Paulosa Nigeria Limited conceming our property located at Life Camp, Abuja on Friday 22nd November 2024.
“As responsible property owners, occupying the said property for 42 years, we are committed to adhering to all regulations governing land use and property management within the Federal Capital Territory. However, we were surprised to receive this notice, and we kindly request clarification on the specific grounds for the action.
To facilitate a prompt resolution, we respectfully request:
1. A detailed explanation of the alleged infractions or violations.
2. Copies of any relevant documents or reports that led to the issuance of the notice.
3. Information on any steps required to comply with AMMC regulations and resolve this matter amicably.
“ We are eager to work with your office to address any concerns and ensure compliance with all applicable laws.
“ Please let us know if a meeting or inspection is necessary, and we are prepared to provide any additional documentation or clarification required.
Wike Empowers Associates Over Ambition
A source who confided in us said the bureaucratic bottlenecks being encountered by many people in an attempt to make payments for Ground rents and Certificate of Occupancy ( C of O ) was deliberate and was aimed to reallocate people’s lands to their cronies.
The Source added that Wike is doing everything possible to empower his political associates and allies ahead of 2027 and one of the strategies is to allocate lands to them at the choice area. He said many more Nigerians will fall victim to land grabbing by Wike. That he will stop at nothing to realise his Presidential ambition and ensure that the agreement he had with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come to fruition.
The source accused Wike and Saravera Nigeria Limited of gross misdemeanours for not following the extant procedures and due process in the payment of application fees and allocation of lands by granting approval for Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy within the space of two months.
“If you go now and put in application for land, can you get land in two months? The company applied for land and got R of O and C of O within two months?
“ The company Saravera Nigeria Limited applied for Rof O and CoO and got approval within the space of two months.
“ That has been the case of these lands disappearing. What of me that have put up an application ten years ago and I have still not not received approval.
“ How did this person jump over millions of people that have put up an application in the last 15 years “ The source added.
Property Reallocated To Saravera Nigeria Limited
Ikponmwosa Paul-Ogbebor, another son, expressed his disbelief at the reallocation, given the family’s significant investment and the unresolved issues with the land’s registration.
He noted that, despite the initial N10 million deposit and their continuous efforts to comply with the FCTA’s requirements, they were now facing the possibility of losing their property.
“Surprisingly, the property was reallocated to Saravera Nigeria Limited with our plot number 2241, which was supposedly missing in the system,” he stressed.
Ogbebor had insisted that the FCDA provide the receipt generated via Remita in making the payment for the land by the Saravera Nigeria Limited
508 Hectares Allocated To One Company
Isaac Fayose had in a viral video accused the Director of Lands Federal Capital Development Administration ( FCDA ) of allocating 508 hectares of land to a company believed to be a company of one of Wike’s lawyers without following due process.
He also alleged that the FCDA reallocated a total of 113 hectares of lands to another company with additional 118 hectares after demolishing peoples houses in Lugbe South along airport road.
Residents Dare Wike
When The Trumpet visited the estate the residents had vowed to be run over and crushed by Wike’s bulldozer instead of leaving their homes which many of them had occupied since 1991.
A resident who has been living in the estate said “ Either they killed us with their bulldozers and guns, I will not move an inch from this house that I have been staying in for over 35 years.
Senator Intervenes, Stops Demolition
The Senate had on Thursday asked the Wike to halt further demolition of structures pending the outcome of its investigation into the matter.
The Senate also set up an ad hoc committee headed by the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, to ascertain the propriety or otherwise of the demolition exercise, and asked the minister to appear before the committee.
The resolutions were sequel to a motion by the FCT senator, Ireti Kingibe, during plenary, in which she said the demolition exercise did not follow due process and was causing untold hardship to victims, and pleaded for the Senate’s intervention.
Senator Ireti said, “Further concern that demolition in FCT is no longer in line with due process and that a cross-section of individuals has suffered untold hardship occasioned by massive demolitions which have led to loss of properties worth billions of naira.
“Note that the Federal Capital Territory Administration, on the instruction of the Honorable Minister of Federal Capital Territory, embarked on massive demolition of structures within the Federal Capital Territory.
“Also note that the demolition, according to the FCT authority, was informed by illegal structures and non-development of allocated plots of land by the FCT administration.
“Also concerned that at the moment, an estate by the name Messrs Paulosa, for which late Colonel Paul Osang Kwanwa of Bebo, is the chairman, is currently under revocation and demolition. And from reliable information, the said plot of land was allocated to him in 1984 with the requisite title documents.
“And further concerned that the owner of this estate was a patriotic Nigerian who served the nation meritoriously and one of the first intakes of the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, with registration number 001.”
Wike Reacts To Allegation
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, however challenged those using the Social Media to circulate falsehood about their lands being grabbed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide genuine evidence that they owned such land.
In a statement on Wednesday, Olayinka, who also cautioned self-appointed social media activists to be mindful of being used to promote false claims, said “The most reasonable thing for anyone to do is to find out from both sides before going public with any issue”
The FCT Minister’s Spokesperson challenged those claiming ownership of the land to provide a Right of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy granted by the FCTA.
Olayinka said; “A construction company, Paulosa Nigeria Limited occupied the land as a temporary office, under a Temporary Right of Occupancy arrangement granted in 1984 (40 years ago).
“Other contractors like Costain, Aprofim and Stabilini that were given the land then completed their projects and left, why didn’t Poulusa leave? Why did Poulusa build permanent structures on land allocated for Temporary usage, rented the houses out and collected rent?
“For 36 years, the company occupied the land, built permanent structures on it and rented them out without any approval from the government. In saner climes, Chief Mrs Rita Lori and her men should have been arrested and prosecuted for occupying government land illegally. But the government chose to be civil.
“On November 18, 2020, after occupying the land for 36 years without approval, Paulosa Nigeria Limited applied to the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for the conversion of the Temporary Right of Occupancy to a Statutory Right of Occupancy.
“On February 1, 2023, approval was granted to Paulosa Nigeria Limited for a Statutory Right of Occupancy, subject to certain terms and conditions.
“Some of the terms and conditions are; payment of Ground Rent Per Square Meter Per Annum, which was N50K/m² from 2022 to 2023, amounting to N2,332,143; payment of Premium of N500/m², amounting to N11,660,715 and payment of Ground Rent from 1984 to 2021 (37 years), amounting to N43,144,645.
“However, for 20 months, Paulosa Nigeria Limited refused to comply with the terms and conditions for the approval.
“Consequent upon the failure of Paulosa Nigeria Limited to comply with the terms and conditions for approval granted for a Right of Occupancy on the said land, the approval was revoked on October 10, 2024, more than 20 months after it was given.
“From the above, it should be clear that Paulosa Nigeria Limited never at any time owned the land.
“For instance, if a student who was offered an admission to a university, refused to pay the fees stipulated in the offer of admission, and fulfil other terms and conditions for the admission, can the student have any claim to the studentship of the university?”
While counseling those who are desirous of doing human rights activism to be mindful of being used to peddle falsehood, Olayinka said, “My advice to our social media emergency human rights advocates is that they should always endeavor to investigate claims by whoever that is seeking their service.
“For instance, if the person who took his time to do that video had taken a simple step of investigating further, he would have been well informed, such that he won’t be used to mislead the public.
“The other time, a certain character who went to school at night to study Baseless Black-market Law, was on social media, ranting that the FCT Minister grabbed someone’s land.
“If he had studied law properly, he would have taken the proper step of approaching relevant government agencies for information on the said land.
“Our online lawyer would have been properly schooled that when you get allocation for a recreation park, building a school and a church on the land is a clear contravention of the condition for which the land was allocated.”
