Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to urgently intervene and prevent a potential diplomatic crisis over ground rent collection in Abuja.
The senior advocate’s warning comes as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under Minister Nyesom Wike, faces a critical decision point following the expiration of a 14-day grace period granted to property owners owing ground rents. Among the 9,000 identified debtors are 34 embassies and foreign missions that the FCT authorities have threatened to seal.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Falana stated that any attempt to seal diplomatic premises would violate international law and could trigger serious diplomatic complications for Nigeria. He specifically cited Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which declares embassy premises inviolable.
“If we embark on invading the embassy of any country, it’s going to lead to serious diplomatic problems for Nigeria,” Falana warned. “Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent, which is not applicable for all of them.”
The FCTA had initially announced in May 2025 its intention to take possession of approximately 5,000 properties owing ground rents spanning 10 to 43 years. The authorities published details of the 9,000 debtors in newspapers and began sealing properties, including the PDP national secretariat, before President Bola Tinubu intervened with a two-week reprieve.
That grace period ended on Friday, June 6, 2025, coinciding with the Eid public holiday, leaving many Nigerians wondering about the administration’s next moves when government offices resume full operations.
Falana challenged the legality of the FCT’s enforcement approach, citing numerous high court, appeal court, and Supreme Court decisions that have ruled against unilateral property sealing by FCT authorities. He argued that the constitutional right to a fair hearing, guaranteed under Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Act, must be respected.
“The minister cannot order that a house be sealed up because the right to a fair hearing is guaranteed,” Falana stated. “Before you can take action against me, you must give me the right to make a representation.”
The legal expert noted that proper procedures exist for handling such disputes, pointing to the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal in Abuja, which comprises five members from the building industry and has final authority over demolition and property sealing matters.
“The rule of law must be allowed to operate,” Falana insisted. “Yes, people are owing. Too bad! But if you want to collect your money, you must go to court. We are operating a democracy.”
The situation has created tension between debt collection efforts and diplomatic protocol, with significant implications for Nigeria’s international relations should the FCTA proceed with enforcement actions against foreign missions.
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