From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has denied claims by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) that it defaulted on ground rent payments for over 25 years, describing the allegation as false and the subsequent sealing of its office as unprofessional and malicious.
Reacting to the situation via X (formerly Twitter), Arabirin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, insisted that the agency has paid all its dues up to 2023 and is not owing the FCTA.
“The FCTA is getting it all wrong. It’s a falsehood to claim that FIRS is owing ground rent for 25 years. Documents available show that we have paid all the dues until 2023. We have requested a receipt from February 19th, 2024, to no avail. This is wrong, and untrue,”she wrote.
Atoyebi criticized the FCTA’s actions, noting that the closure of the FIRS office disrupted staff activities at a critical time when the agency is preparing to sign key Tax Reform Bills.
“It is so unprofessional of the Wike-led FCTA to close our office, distracting staff going about their duties when we did nothing wrong. Especially in a crucial week as this when we are looking forward to signing the Tax Reform Bills. FCTA, you goofed big time, FIRS isn’t owing you,” she added.
She accused the FCTA of attempting to make the FIRS a scapegoat in a broader enforcement drive.
“If you are looking for a fall guy, please move further, we shouldn’t be your scapegoat when you know well that the lies you spread in the media & your malicious/illegal action will hurt our operations. FIRS is not owing for 25 years. We have paid until 2023. We have the evidence.”
The comments came after the FCTA launched a crackdown on alleged defaulters of ground rent, sealing several high-profile properties in Abuja including the FIRS office in Zone 5, Access Bank’s Wuse branch, and a Total petrol station.
According to a letter dated March 13, 2025, signed by the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, the affected properties had their Rights of Occupancy revoked due to non-payment of ground rent dating back decades.
“The Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 2456 within Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja,” the letter read.
It further stated: “The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for Thirty-Four (34) years.”
FCTA officials claim that several notices and public announcements had been issued since 2023 urging allottees to clear their outstanding ground rent.
The enforcement exercise, they said, is part of a wider effort to recover public revenue and ensure compliance with land use regulations.