The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to stop the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, from shutting down 34 foreign embassies in Abuja over unpaid ground rents.
SERAP warned that the threat to close embassies violates international law, citing Article 22 of the Vienna Convention which protects diplomatic premises from any enforcement actions.
Also Read: Air Peace Passengers Didn’t Meet Entry Requirements, Says Saudi Embassy
The group’s statement comes after the FCTA revealed that embassies from countries including Germany, China, India, Ghana, and Russia owe rents dating back to 2014. The FCTA has ordered enforcement action against over 4,700 properties with similar unpaid rents.
The Director of Land at the FCTA, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated that embassies and other defaulters may face penalties of up to three million naira depending on location.
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.