The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has revoked land allocations belonging to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.

The revocation also affects 759 other prominent individuals and organizations in Maitama II, Abuja, due to non-payment of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) fees.

This development was announced in a publication by the FCT Administration and shared by the special adviser to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka.

In a related notice, the minister warned that lands belonging to the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Kingsley Chinda, former Senate Presidents Iyorchia Ayu and Ameh Ebute, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, and 610 others could also be revoked if outstanding C of O fees are not paid within two weeks.

The move follows months of appeals from the minister, urging residents of highbrow areas in the nation’s capital to clear their debts to avoid losing their land rights.

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the sum of ₦500 million, with three sureties of equal value. This decision follows her earlier rejection of Bello’s bail application on December 10, which she ruled was premature as it was filed before he was in custody or appeared in court.

Bello is currently on trial for alleged money laundering involving ₦110 billion, alongside two co-defendants. He pleaded not guilty to the 16 charges leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During the latest court session, Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, withdrew a further affidavit in response to a counter affidavit from the prosecution, aiming to avoid unnecessary contention. The prosecution, represented by Olukayode Enitan, SAN, did not oppose the withdrawal, leading the court to strike out the document.

Daudu informed the court that discussions between the defense and prosecution teams had yielded an agreement to expedite the trial. He urged the court to grant Bello’s bail request and appealed for a review of the bail conditions to allow sureties to present properties located anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than being restricted to Maitama.

Enitan confirmed the prosecution’s cooperation, emphasizing that the decision to grant bail ultimately rested on the court’s discretion. He assured the court that the prosecution would not oppose the process in a way that could delay justice.

In her ruling, Justice Anenih noted that the charges against Bello were bailable and set his bail at ₦500 million. The conditions include three sureties who must be prominent Nigerians owning landed property in areas such as Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro. Bello is also required to surrender his international passport and other travel documents to the court. Until he meets the bail conditions, he will remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.