Wike’s Aide Sets The Record Straight, Releases Documents Amid Land Grabbing Allegations
By Trek Africa Newspaper
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged those spreading false claims about land grabbing by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide legitimate evidence of their ownership.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Olayinka warned self-proclaimed social media activists to be cautious of being manipulated into spreading misinformation. He emphasized the importance of verifying information from both sides before publicly sharing it.
Olayinka specifically addressed a video circulating regarding land located in Life Camp, Plot No. 2241, Gwarimpa District, Cadastral Zone C02, Abuja, urging those claiming ownership to present a Right of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy issued by the FCTA.
He explained the situation, stating that a construction company, Paulosa Nigeria Limited, had occupied the land under a Temporary Right of Occupancy granted in 1984. The company occupied the land for 36 years, constructing permanent buildings and renting them out without government approval.
In November 2020, Paulosa Nigeria Limited requested the conversion of their Temporary Right of Occupancy to a Statutory Right of Occupancy. Approval was granted on February 1, 2023, with terms and conditions, including the payment of Ground Rent and Premium fees. However, the company failed to comply with these conditions for over 20 months, leading to the revocation of the approval on October 10, 2024.
Olayinka pointed out that Paulosa Nigeria Limited never owned the land, likening the situation to a student who fails to pay their fees after being offered university admission, thus forfeiting their claim to admission.
He also cautioned those involved in human rights activism to verify claims before taking action, advising that proper investigation should be conducted before making public statements. Olayinka criticized a previous case where an individual, who had not studied law thoroughly, misled the public by claiming that the FCTA had seized someone’s land. He stressed that those with genuine concerns should approach the relevant government agencies for accurate information.
