By Ebenezer Mabinuola
A diplomatic standoff is unfolding in Abuja as 34 foreign embassies face the threat of being sealed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over unpaid ground rents totaling ₦3.66 million – debts that officials say have accrued over the past 11 years. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has issued a firm ultimatum: settle all dues by Monday, June 9, or enforcement begins the next day.
Among the embassies under scrutiny are global heavyweights such as Germany, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. While some reportedly owe as little as ₦500, others – including Indonesia’s Defence Attaché and Equatorial Guinea – face liabilities exceeding ₦1 million each. The move follows a string of high-profile enforcement actions by the FCTA against entities like the PDP, FIRS, and NAPTIP, part of a broader clampdown on rent defaulters. “No one is above the law,” Wike asserted.
At the heart of the dispute is a legal grey area. While the Vienna Convention grants embassies diplomatic immunity, the FCTA argues ground rent is an administrative, not diplomatic, obligation. “This is about the rule of law,” said Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Lands at the FCTA.
Several embassies – including Russia, Germany, Ghana, and Turkey – have pushed back, denying the debts and demanding a review. Legal experts warn that sealing embassies could violate international protocols and strain Nigeria’s foreign relations.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on Abuja.
