FG to Resolve Embassy Ground Rent Dispute Through Diplomatic Channels

The Federal Government has assured that the ongoing controversy surrounding unpaid ground rents by several foreign embassies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be resolved through diplomatic engagement.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed on Sunday that the ministry will interface with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and handle the matter in line with international diplomatic protocols.

“The ministry will take up the matters with the FCTA and it will be addressed via diplomatic channels,” Ebienfa stated during a media interaction.

This assurance comes amid reports that the FCTA is considering enforcement actions, including the potential sealing of 34 embassies over outstanding ground rent payments dating as far back as 2014.

The FCTA recently published a list of over 5,000 individuals, businesses, and diplomatic missions with unpaid ground rent obligations. Among those listed are embassies of countries such as Ghana, China, the United States, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, legal and diplomatic experts have cautioned against any direct enforcement on diplomatic premises, warning that such moves could violate provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and strain Nigeria's bilateral relations with the affected countries.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has reiterated its commitment to upholding diplomatic norms while ensuring compliance with local regulations.

This development underscores the complex intersection between domestic law enforcement and international diplomatic immunity, a balancing act the government says it will manage through appropriate diplomatic procedures.