Chief Lori-Ogbebor Accuses FCT Minister Wike of Land Grabbing

Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, a prominent Niger Delta leader, has accused Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, of land grabbing and called for an investigation into his actions.

Lori-Ogbebor’s claims follow the confiscation of property once owned by her late husband, Col. Paul Ogbebor, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under Wike’s leadership. The land, located in Abuja, was legally acquired by Col. Ogbebor when his company, Paulson Nigeria Limited, worked on the city’s sewage system during its early development.

Speaking in an interview on Arise News, Lori-Ogbebor said the FCTA had served a quit notice to the property’s owners in November, accusing them of illegal occupation. She rejected the claims, alleging that the action was part of a land-grabbing scheme orchestrated by Wike. Lori-Ogbebor also revealed that the land is now being claimed by a company linked to Hon. Kingsley Chinda, a three-term House of Representatives member from Rivers State and a political ally of Wike.

According to her, documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Lori-Ogbebor said, show that Chinda’s company now holds ownership of the land, and she believes that the lawmaker is acting as a proxy for Wike.

The land in question was issued a temporary title certificate when there were no structures in the area, and Lori-Ogbebor confirmed that the family had made several attempts to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, including a payment of N10 million to the FCTA. However, the situation took a drastic turn following Wike’s appointment as FCT minister.

Lori-Ogbebor has urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the actions of Wike, accusing the minister of using his political power for personal gain at the expense of her family’s rightful ownership.