The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has criticised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for sealing its office in Abuja over alleged non-payment of ground rent.
The service described the action as “unprofessional and disruptive”, releasing the payment documents on social media.
Earlier today, the FCTA officials shut down several properties, including the FIRS office in Zone 5, Access Bank in Wuse Market, and a Total filling station, citing decades-long default on ground rent obligations.
In response, Aderonke Atoyebi, technical assistant on broadcast media to the FIRS executive chairman, refuted the claim, stating that the agency had settled its ground rent dues up to 2023 and possessed evidence of the payment.
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“The FCTA is getting it all wrong. It’s a falsehood to claim that FIRS is owing ground rent for 25 years,” Atoyebi posted on X.
“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.”
#FIRS#FCTA https://t.co/EfL5rC41mN
Advertisement— The Arábìnrin Adérónké (@AderonkeW) May 26, 2025
She criticised the FCTA’s actions as “unprofessional” and potentially damaging to the FIRS’ operations.
“It’s so unprofessional that Wike led FCTA to close our office, distracting staff from going about their duties when we did nothing wrong. Especially in a crucial week like this when we are looking forward to signing the Tax Reform Bills. FCTA, you goofed big time, FIRS isn’t owing you,” she added.
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“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 and your malicious/illegal action will hurt our operations.
“FIRS is not owing for 25 years. We have paid until 2023. We have the evidence.
“There was no prior notice before the administrative rascality. We demand an apology.”
The FCTA’s enforcement drive has led to the cancellation of 4,794 land titles in key Abuja districts such as Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki — due to long-standing unpaid ground rents.
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Officials report that 8,375 property owners collectively owe about N6.97 billion, with some debts dating back more than 40 years.
In March, the FCTA revoked the land title of the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) located in the central business district, alleging failure to pay ground rents of over 19 years.
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At the time the 4,794 land titles were revoked, the FCTA said its owners could appeal for reinstatement.
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