FCTA Revokes Riverpark Estate Lease Amid Land Dispute, Orders Repossession of Undeveloped Plots
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has revoked the lease agreement of the controversial Riverpark Estate in Abuja, ordering the repossession of all undeveloped plots. The decision, approved by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, followed the findings of a special investigative committee established on August 8, 2025, to resolve the long-running dispute and recommend reforms to strengthen land governance.
The Riverpark Estate controversy has persisted for years, marked by conflicting ownership claims between Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, the original Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), and Paulo Homes Limited, which later claimed acquisition rights. The disagreement triggered prolonged litigation, with multiple firms and individuals asserting competing interests in the expansive estate located along the Lugbe Expressway.
The investigative committee, chaired by Salman Dakko, General Counsel of the FCT Legal Services Secretariat, uncovered fundamental breaches of the lease agreement, unauthorized allocations, and irregular land titles. The report warned that such practices risk “institutionalizing systemic abuse, eroding investor confidence, and gravely undermining the integrity of land administration in the FCT.”
Key Measures Approved by the FCTA
Based on the committee’s recommendations, the FCTA has directed that all undeveloped plots be repossessed. Verified subscribers who have developed properties in accordance with planning regulations will retain their titles, while those holding undeveloped plots will be relocated to Kpoto District.
To oversee the transition, the administration has established a Transitional Special Management Committee, comprising FCTA officials, the Riverpark Estate Residents Association, and security agencies. The body will handle estate security, verify legitimate subscribers, and manage title regularisation.
The Development Lease Agreement was formally declared lapsed and void, while all irregular Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) will be cancelled and reissued directly to verified subscribers.
Minister Wike further endorsed a ban on dealings with developers previously linked to the project, including JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, Paulo Homes Limited, and Common Consultants Limited.
Broader Reforms for FCT Land Administration
Beyond the Riverpark Estate, the committee recommended structural reforms to prevent similar crises. These include:
Automated alerts in the land registry to monitor lease expirations.
Stricter interdepartmental reviews for mass housing projects.
Updated guidelines prohibiting “shares-for-land” arrangements.
Approving the proposals, Wike stated: “I hereby approve every recommendation made by the committee.”
Outlook
The revocation of Riverpark Estate’s lease underscores the FCTA’s resolve to restore order in Abuja’s land administration system. For investors and developers, the move signals a tougher regulatory environment but also presents an opportunity to rebuild confidence in a sector long marred by irregularities.
