The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike’s alleged plan to shut down 34 foreign embassies in Abuja due to unpaid ground rents.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, SERAP warned that such a move would breach international law, specifically referencing Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This article protects diplomatic missions from being violated, searched, requisitioned, attached, or subjected to legal enforcement.
“President Tinubu must urgently instruct Minister Wike to withdraw the threat of closing these embassies,” SERAP stated.
The group cited key provisions of the Vienna Convention, including:
- Article 22(1): "The premises of the mission shall be inviolable."
- Article 22(3): "The premises, furnishings, property, and vehicles of the mission are immune from search, seizure, or legal action."
The dispute arose after the FCT Administration revealed that 34 embassies owe ground rent arrears dating back to 2014, totaling over N3.66 million.
Listed among the defaulting missions are embassies of Ghana, Russia, Germany, China, South Africa, and the European Union, among others. While some debts are as low as N150, others exceed N1 million, such as Zambia (N1.19 million) and Indonesia’s Defence Attaché (N1.72 million).
Minister Wike had earlier ordered enforcement against 4,794 properties, including embassies, with unpaid rents spanning 10 to 43 years. However, following backlash, Tinubu granted a 14-day grace period, which expires today (Monday).
The FCTA’s Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated that defaulters—including embassies—would face penalties of N2 million to N3 million, depending on property location.
While SERAP recognizes the need for revenue collection, it insists that such actions must not violate diplomatic immunity or international treaties.
Source: Sahara Reporters
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