The Federal Capital Territory Administration has approved corrective measures over the disputed Riverpark Estate in Abuja, declaring the Development Lease Agreement void, and ordering the withdrawal of all undeveloped plots within the estate.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, gave the approval based on the recommendations of a committee set up on August 8, 2025, to investigate the crisis and propose reforms to protect residents and restore administrative order.
PUNCH Online reports that controversies surrounding the Riverpark Estate have dragged on for years, centring on disputes between Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, the original Special Purpose Vehicle, whose ownership was later allegedly sold to Paulo Homes Limited.
The transaction, however, became the subject of litigation and counterclaims, with multiple companies and individuals asserting control over the estate’s vast land on Lugbe Express.
While subscribers who bought plots insisted on their rights, investigations by the Nigeria Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the courts revealed breaches of the lease agreement, unauthorised allocations, and irregular titles.
Presenting its report to the minister in his office on Tuesday, the committee, chaired by the General Counsel and Secretary, FCT Legal Service Secretariat, Salman Dakko, warned that the pattern of conduct identified in its review of the matter “risks institutionalising systemic abuse, eroding investor confidence and gravely undermining the integrity of land administration in the FCT.”
According to the recommendations, which the minister approved, all undeveloped lands in Riverpark are to be repossessed, while subscribers with valid customary titles who had already built in compliance with planning rules will retain their rights.
“Direct that all undeveloped portions of land within the boundaries of Riverpark Estate be withdrawn and reverted to the FCT-Administration.
“Holders of previous ‘customary’ titles whose plots fall within the Riverpark Estate boundaries and who have developed in accordance with applicable planning and development control regulations, be permitted to retain their titles,” the committee stated.
The report further directed that affected but undeveloped title holders be relocated to the Kpoto District.
A Transitional Special Management Committee, comprising FCTA officials, the Riverpark Estate Residents Association, and security agencies, will also be established to coordinate estate security, verify legitimate subscribers, and manage title regularisation.
Another measure approved is the prohibition of any official dealings with developers previously linked to the project.
“All stakeholder departments of the FCT-Administration are prohibited from engaging in any form of transaction, correspondence or applications with JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, Paulo Homes Limited, Common Consultants Limited, or any entities or individuals claiming or acting on their behalf,” the directive read.
In what it termed corrective steps, the committee recommended that the minister declare the lease over Riverpark lapsed.
“Formally declare that the DLA has lapsed and stands void by reason of fundamental breach of its terms and conditions, as well as expiration by effluxion of time”, Dako stated.
The committee further recommended that all irregular Certificates of Occupancy be voided and replaced with fresh titles issued directly to verified subscribers.
Preventive reforms were also outlined, including automated alerts in the land system to track lease expirations, stricter interdepartmental reviews of mass housing projects, and revisions of guidelines to prohibit “shares-for-land” arrangements.
Upholding the recommendations, the FCT minister asked the committee to immediately implement all of the recommendations.
“I hereby approve every recommendation made by the committee,” the minister said.
