Appearing on Channels TV's Politics Today on Monday, Falana emphasised that such actions would violate international law and could trigger serious diplomatic consequences for Nigeria.

Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has issued a warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, cautioning him against any attempt to seal embassies and foreign missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents.

Appearing on Channels TV's Politics Today on Monday, Falana emphasised that such actions would violate international law and could trigger serious diplomatic consequences for Nigeria.

“Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent, which is not applicable for all of them,” Falana said, referencing the inviolability of diplomatic premises under Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The FCT Administration, under Wike’s leadership, had recently published a list of 9,000 alleged ground rent defaulters, including 34 embassies and foreign missions, warning them of potential forfeiture if debts were not cleared.

 This followed a May 23, 2025 announcement that the government would repossess over 5,000 properties with outstanding payments ranging from 10 to 43 years.

Already, several properties — including the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — have been sealed. 

President Bola Tinubu, however, intervened and granted a 14-day grace period to all affected defaulters to settle their dues. The period expired on Friday, June 6, 2025, coinciding with the Eid public holiday.

Meanwhile,  as the FCT awaits its next steps after the Sallah break on Tuesday, June 10, many are watching closely to see if the government will extend the enforcement action to diplomatic missions — a move Falana insists would breach both local judicial precedents and international obligations.

The human rights lawyer explained that there are about 20 high court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court judgments which make it clear that the FCT Administration has no right to unilaterally seal up any property.

He said, “If we embark on invading the embassy of any country, it’s going to lead to serious diplomatic problems for Nigeria. So, it is not allowed.

“The minister cannot order that a house be sealed up because the right to a fair hearing is guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Act. What this implies is that before you can take action against me, you must give me the right to make a representation.”

Falana urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, to promptly advise the FCT Minister.

According to the senior advocate, “I expect the Minister of Foreign Affairs to have intervened. I also expect the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene.
“The rule of law must be allowed to operate. Yes, people are owing. Too bad! But if you want to collect your money, you must go to court.

“There is a tribunal in Abuja — Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal constituted by five members from the building industry. That is the body that has the final say on demolition and attempts to seal up properties. In other words, anybody who is aggrieved by the threat to seal up a property is advised to go to court. We are operating a democracy,” Falana added.