…Action violates domestic Int’l laws – Falala
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has thrown his weight behind Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister Nyesom Wike’s aggressive campaign to recover unpaid ground rents in Abuja, a move that has drawn both praise and legal caution.
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly-renovated Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) — now renamed in his honour — Tinubu lauded Wike’s leadership and endorsed the ongoing efforts targeting embassies, government agencies, and private entities owing ground rents for up to 43 years.
“Our Nigeria first! I like all of you. Today, I say once again: Barka Da Sallah. You must obey what the landlord (Wike) says: if you want to use this place, you got to pay for it”, Tinubu declared, addressing dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and senior government officials at yesterday’s ceremony.
The FCT Administration had previously identified over 4,700 defaulting properties, including 34 foreign embassies, owing a total of ₦3.66 billion since 2014. Penalties range from ₦2 million to N3 million depending on the location. While some defaulters — including the PDP headquarters and agencies like FIRS and NAPTIP — have settled their debts, many remain in default.
The push for enforcement followed the expiration of a 14-day grace period granted by President Tinubu on May 23, which lapsed on June 6 during the Eid-el-Kabir holiday. With the deadline passed, observers anticipate a fresh round of enforcement actions beginning this week.
However, the crackdown has sparked a wave of concern, particularly over the legal and diplomatic implications of including foreign missions in the sweep.
Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has strongly cautioned Wike and the Federal Government against any move to seal embassy properties, warning that such actions would violate both domestic and international laws.
“Embassies and missions cannot be invaded, because they have not paid ground rent, which is not even applicable to all of them”, Falana stated during a televised interview on Monday.
Citing Articles 22 and 23 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Nigeria’s Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act of 1961, Falana asserted that diplomatic premises are inviolable and exempt from taxes and rates, including ground rents. “To that extent, the Government of Nigeria, or the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, lacks the vires to close down or seal-off the premises of an embassy due to alleged failure to pay ground rents”, he said.
He further stressed that even in cases where payment is legally required, due process must be followed, including proper legal notifications and judicial approval, and warned that bypassing this legal framework could lead to serious diplomatic fallout for Nigeria, as foreign missions enjoy protections that prevent their premises from being subject to unilateral domestic action.
Falana urged senior federal officials — including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney-General — to step-in and ensure the matter is handled within the confines of the law.
While acknowledging the legitimate concerns over unpaid rents, Falana insisted that enforcement must be conducted through lawful means. “Yes, people are owing. Too bad! But if you want to collect your money, you must go to court. We are operating a democracy,” he concluded.
