Respected human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, cautioning him against sealing embassies or diplomatic missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Falana noted that such actions would violate international law and risk triggering serious diplomatic consequences for Nigeria.
“Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent, which is not applicable for all of them,” Falana said.
“Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations makes it clear that diplomatic premises are inviolable.”
The FCT Administration had earlier published a list of over 9,000 alleged ground rent defaulters, which included 34 foreign embassies. The warning followed a May 23, 2025, announcement that the government would reclaim over 5,000 properties with unpaid dues spanning 10 to 43 years.
Several properties in Abuja — including the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — have already been sealed. President Bola Tinubu later intervened, granting all affected parties a 14-day grace period to clear their debts. That deadline expired on Friday, June 6, 2025, which also coincided with the Eid public holiday.
As of Tuesday, June 10, the FCT is yet to announce its next move post-Sallah, but public attention is now sharply focused on whether embassies will also face enforcement actions. Falana stressed that doing so would be not only unlawful but also damaging to Nigeria’s international reputation.
> “If we embark on invading the embassy of any country, it’s going to lead to serious diplomatic problems for Nigeria,” Falana warned.
“The minister cannot order that a house be sealed up. The right to a fair hearing is guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.”
He pointed out that Nigerian courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, have repeatedly ruled that the FCT Administration has no authority to unilaterally seal properties without a judicial order.
“There are at least 20 judgments in favour of due process,” he added.
“Before any property can be sealed, the owners must be heard. That’s the law.”
Falana called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to immediately advise Minister Wike on the implications of his planned actions.
“I expect the Minister of Foreign Affairs to have intervened. I also expect the Attorney General to intervene. The rule of law must be allowed to operate,” he said.
He further explained that the appropriate legal channel to address ground rent issues is through the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal in Abuja.
“That tribunal, composed of professionals in the building industry, is the body empowered to handle such matters,” he stated.
“Anyone aggrieved must seek redress through the courts. We are operating a democracy.”
Falana’s intervention has drawn significant attention, with many Nigerians backing his stance as a defense of rule of law and diplomatic integrity. As tensions mount, the next steps of the FCT Administration are being closely watched both domestically and internationally.
