Senator Ireti Kingibe made headlines on Thursday after walking out of the Senate chamber in protest during a plenary session. Her decision to leave was triggered by a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the procedural handling of a motion she attempted to raise.
Senator Kingibe sought to address an urgent matter concerning the demolition of the Paul OSA Ogbeboh Estate in Abuja. However, her request to present the motion was declined by the Senate President, who cited procedural rules. Akpabio explained that since the motion was not listed on the day’s official order paper, it could not be entertained during the ongoing deliberations on the scheduled agenda.
Despite Senator Kingibe’s argument that the issue was of urgent national importance, she was unable to convince the Senate President to allow the motion. Frustrated by the refusal, she exited the chamber in a dramatic protest that highlighted her dissatisfaction with the decision.
This incident occurred amid broader controversies surrounding the Paul OSA Ogbeboh Estate. In response to allegations of land grabbing, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, called on individuals making these claims to present valid proof of ownership.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Olayinka emphasized the importance of credible documentation, urging claimants to provide evidence such as a Right of Occupancy or a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the FCT Administration. He also warned against the spread of misinformation by social media activists who may be used to propagate false narratives.
Olayinka specifically addressed a viral video involving a plot of land identified as Plot No. 2241 in Gwarimpa District, Cadastral Zone C02, Abuja. He challenged claimants to substantiate their ownership claims with legitimate documentation, shedding light on the historical background of the plot.
According to Olayinka, the land was originally granted under a Temporary Right of Occupancy to a construction company, Paulosa Nigeria Limited, in 1984. The company occupied the land for 36 years, during which it constructed permanent structures and rented them out without government approval.
On November 18, 2020, Paulosa Nigeria Limited applied for the conversion of the Temporary Right of Occupancy to a Statutory Right of Occupancy, and approval was granted on February 1, 2023, subject to terms and conditions. These conditions included payment of ground rent from 1984 to 2021, totaling over N43 million, and compliance with other financial obligations.
However, for 20 months, the company failed to fulfill the stipulated conditions, prompting the FCT Administration to revoke the approval on October 10, 2024. Olayinka concluded by clarifying that Paulosa Nigeria Limited never owned the land at any point, urging the public to verify information before making claims.
Senator Kingibe’s protest and the surrounding land dispute have sparked widespread discussions, raising questions about procedural transparency in the Senate and the governance of land use in the FCT.
