By Olaitan Ibrahim
Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, cautioning against any move to seal off foreign embassies and missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents.
Speaking on a TV programme on Monday, Falana stressed that such action would violate both local and international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which renders embassy premises “inviolable.”
“Embassies and missions cannot be invaded simply because they have not paid ground rent,” Falana said.
“Not all of them are even liable under the current terms. If we begin sealing embassies, we risk diplomatic repercussions that could damage Nigeria’s global standing.”
The warning comes in the wake of the FCT Administration’s publication of 9,000 alleged ground rent defaulters, including 34 foreign missions and high commissions.
Wike’s administration had threatened to revoke land titles and take possession of properties owing ground rents for up to 43 years.
Already, properties such as the PDP National Secretariat have reportedly been sealed.
However, President Bola Tinubu intervened, offering a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their obligations.
That window expired on June 6, 2025 which coincided with the Eid public holiday raising questions over the administration’s next move after the Sallah celebrations.
Falana, however, cited multiple rulings from Nigerian high courts, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court declaring that the FCT administration lacks the unilateral authority to seal properties without due legal process.
Quoting Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, he emphasised: “Before you can take any punitive action, affected parties must be given a fair hearing. The FCT Minister does not have the legal powers to seal any property without court approval.”
He urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to immediately advise Wike against such moves to prevent an international diplomatic fallout.
“The rule of law must prevail. Yes, people owe money, that’s regrettable. But if the government wants to recover its funds, it must follow the legal route,” he said.