Falana warns Wike against sealing Embassies over ground rent debts, cites risk of diplomatic crisis

Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has issued a strong warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, cautioning him against carrying out threats to seal off 34 foreign embassies and diplomatic missions in Abuja over alleged unpaid ground rents.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday night, Falana argued that such a move could ignite severe diplomatic repercussions for Nigeria.

He reminded the federal government that diplomatic properties enjoy immunity under international law and are therefore inviolable.

“Under Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the premises of foreign embassies are inviolable. Any invasion would not only breach international law but also provoke diplomatic crises for Nigeria,” Falana stated.

His comments come in the wake of a controversial notice published by the FCT Administration (FCTA) on May 23, listing over 9,000 alleged defaulters—including several foreign embassies—accused of failing to pay ground rent obligations, some dating back over 40 years.

The FCTA announced plans to repossess more than 5,000 properties and had already begun enforcement, sealing various sites including the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened by granting a 14-day grace period for all affected parties to clear their debts. That deadline expired on Friday, June 6—a public holiday in observance of Eid el-Kabir—fueling widespread speculation about what next steps Wike might take post-Sallah break.

Falana, however, insisted that any such action targeting foreign missions would be illegal and unconstitutional without proper judicial authorization.

“The FCT Minister cannot seal any property without respecting the right to a fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” he said.

Citing more than 20 court rulings—including judgments from the Supreme Court—Falana said these decisions affirm that the FCT lacks the unilateral authority to shut down any property, whether private or institutional, without a court order.

He urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General of the Federation to step in immediately to prevent what he described as an impending international embarrassment for Nigeria.

“Yes, people owe, but we are in a democracy. If the government wants to recover public funds, it must follow the law,” Falana concluded, recommending that disputes over land and planning issues be resolved through the FCT Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal.

With the grace period now over, attention remains fixed on the FCTA’s next move, even as legal and diplomatic experts urge restraint and adherence to both domestic and international legal frameworks