The Senior Special Assistant for Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lere Olayinka has called on individuals claiming that their lands were illegally seized by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to present valid proof of ownership.
Olayinka also cautioned those he called self-proclaimed social media activists against spreading misinformation, and emphasised the importance of verifying facts from both sides before making public allegations.
He specifically referenced a viral video regarding a plot of land located in Life Camp, Gwarimpa District (Plot No. 2241, Cadastral Zone C02, Abuja) and urged anyone asserting ownership to the property to produce either a Right of Occupancy or a Certificate of Occupancy granted by the FCTA.
According to Olayinka, the land in question has been occupied by Paulosa Nigeria Limited under a Temporary Right of Occupancy since 1984, an arrangement granted 40 years ago.
He noted that for 36 years, the company occupied the property, erecting permanent structures and leasing them without government approval.
He said that on November 18, 2020, after decades of unauthorised occupancy, Paulosa Nigeria Limited requested to convert its temporary occupancy to a Statutory Right of Occupancy, which was granted on February 1, 2023, under certain conditions, including the payment of various fees totaling over N56 million.
However, Olayinka stated that the company has failed to comply with these requirements for 20 months, leading to the revocation of the occupancy approval on October 10, 2024.
He emphasised that this sequence of events illustrates that the company never legitimately owned the land.
Olayinka likened the situation to a student who, having been offered admission to a university, fails to pay the required fees and subsequently loses their place at the institution.
He further advised those involved in human rights activism to avoid being manipulated into spreading false narratives.
“If individuals undertaking advocacy had conducted a proper investigation, they would be better equipped to inform the public accurately,” he said.
He also criticised a specific individual who claimed on social media that the FCT Minister had taken someone’s land, suggesting that a genuine understanding of legal processes would have led to a more informed conversation.
“Allocating land for a recreational park does not allow for its use as a school or a church, as this would violate the terms of the allocation,” he reiterated, urging advocates to seek accurate information from appropriate government agencies before disseminating claims online.
