DIPLOMATIC CRISIS: Falana Warns Wike that Sealing the Embassy Could Trigger Diplomatic Crisis

Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has issued a strong caution to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against any move to seal embassies or foreign missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents, citing potential diplomatic crises. The focus on diplomatic crisis underscores the gravity of such actions violating both constitutional and international legal protections for diplomatic premises.

Appearing on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Monday, Falana emphasized that such actions would trigger a diplomatic crisis, given that embassies and missions have inviolability under international law. “Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent, which is not applicable for all of them,” Falana said.

His warning comes after reports that Wike’s administration named 9,000 property owners as rent defaulters. Among them are 34 embassies, which face land reclamation threats.
The FCT plans to seal about 5,000 properties for unpaid rent from 10 to 43 years. This diplomatic crisis focus is relevant due to the FCT’s May 23, 2025, announcement. Some people have already affected structures, including the Peoples Democratic Party’s national secretariat.

President Bola Tinubu later intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for defaulters to pay.

That period expired on June 6, coinciding with Eid-el-Kabir, and the next steps remain uncertain.

Enforcement will resume by June 10. Concerns have been concerns that embassies might get involved in a possible diplomatic crisis.

Falana explained that Nigerian courts have repeatedly ruled against property sealing without due process, especially when diplomatic premises are concerned. “As far as the He stated that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations concerns embassy premises in Abuja. According to Article 22, these premises are inviolable. Any invasion of an embassy would cause a serious diplomatic crisis for Nigeria.

He questioned the legal basis for Wike’s directive, asserting it breaches Nigerian law and international obligations.

“The minister cannot order that a house be sealed 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 Peoples’ Rights Act.

Before taking action, you must give the owner a chance to make a representation,” Falana explained.

He called on top government officials, including the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Attorney General, to intervene and prevent a diplomatic crisis. While acknowledging the legitimacy of the FCT’s concerns over rent arrears, Falana emphasized enforcement must follow the rule of law. “If you want to collect rent, go to court,” he advised.

Falana emphasized that the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal has the final authority on property sealing and demolition. Anyone affected by threats to seal property should seek legal redress, he added, noting that Nigeria operates a democracy.

Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has issued a strong caution to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against any move to seal embassies or foreign missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents, citing potential diplomatic crises. The focus on diplomatic crisis underscores the gravity of such actions violating both constitutional and international legal protections for diplomatic premises.

Appearing on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Monday, Falana emphasized that such actions would trigger a diplomatic crisis, given that embassies and missions have inviolability under international law. “Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent, which is not applicable for all of them,” Falana said.

His warning comes after reports that Wike’s administration named 9,000 property owners as rent defaulters. Among them are 34 embassies, which face land reclamation threats.
The FCT plans to seal about 5,000 properties for unpaid rent from 10 to 43 years. This diplomatic crisis focus is relevant due to the FCT’s May 23, 2025, announcement. Some people have already affected structures, including the Peoples Democratic Party’s national secretariat.

President Bola Tinubu later intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for defaulters to pay.

That period expired on June 6, coinciding with Eid-el-Kabir, and the next steps remain uncertain.

Enforcement will resume by June 10. Concerns have been concerns that embassies might get involved in a possible diplomatic crisis.

Falana explained that Nigerian courts have repeatedly ruled against property sealing without due process, especially when diplomatic premises are concerned. “As far as the He stated that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations concerns embassy premises in Abuja. According to Article 22, these premises are inviolable. Any invasion of an embassy would cause a serious diplomatic crisis for Nigeria.

He questioned the legal basis for Wike’s directive, asserting it breaches Nigerian law and international obligations.

“The minister cannot order that a house be sealed 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 Peoples’ Rights Act.

Before taking action, you must give the owner a chance to make a representation,” Falana explained.

He called on top government officials, including the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Attorney General, to intervene and prevent a diplomatic crisis. While acknowledging the legitimacy of the FCT’s concerns over rent arrears, Falana emphasized enforcement must follow the rule of law. “If you want to collect rent, go to court,” he advised.

Falana emphasized that the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal has the final authority on property sealing and demolition. Anyone affected by threats to seal property should seek legal redress, he added, noting that Nigeria operates a democracy.

Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has issued a strong caution to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against any move to seal embassies or foreign missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents, citing potential diplomatic crises. The focus on diplomatic crisis underscores the gravity of such actions violating both constitutional and international legal protections for diplomatic premises.

Appearing on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Monday, Falana emphasized that such actions would trigger a diplomatic crisis, given that embassies and missions have inviolability under international law. “Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent, which is not applicable for all of them,” Falana said.

His warning comes after reports that Wike’s administration named 9,000 property owners as rent defaulters. Among them are 34 embassies, which face land reclamation threats.
The FCT plans to seal about 5,000 properties for unpaid rent from 10 to 43 years. This diplomatic crisis focus is relevant due to the FCT’s May 23, 2025, announcement. Some people have already affected structures, including the Peoples Democratic Party’s national secretariat.

President Bola Tinubu later intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for defaulters to pay.

That period expired on June 6, coinciding with Eid-el-Kabir, and the next steps remain uncertain.

Enforcement will resume by June 10. Concerns have been concerns that embassies might get involved in a possible diplomatic crisis.

Falana explained that Nigerian courts have repeatedly ruled against property sealing without due process, especially when diplomatic premises are concerned. “As far as the He stated that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations concerns embassy premises in Abuja. According to Article 22, these premises are inviolable. Any invasion of an embassy would cause a serious diplomatic crisis for Nigeria.

He questioned the legal basis for Wike’s directive, asserting it breaches Nigerian law and international obligations.

“The minister cannot order that a house be sealed 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 Peoples’ Rights Act.

Before taking action, you must give the owner a chance to make a representation,” Falana explained.

He called on top government officials, including the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Attorney General, to intervene and prevent a diplomatic crisis. While acknowledging the legitimacy of the FCT’s concerns over rent arrears, Falana emphasized enforcement must follow the rule of law. “If you want to collect rent, go to court,” he advised.

Falana emphasized that the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal has the final authority on property sealing and demolition. Anyone affected by threats to seal property should seek legal redress, he added, noting that Nigeria operates a democracy.

Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has issued a strong caution to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against any move to seal embassies or foreign missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents, citing potential diplomatic crises. The focus on diplomatic crisis underscores the gravity of such actions violating both constitutional and international legal protections for diplomatic premises.

Appearing on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Monday, Falana emphasized that such actions would trigger a diplomatic crisis, given that embassies and missions have inviolability under international law. “Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent, which is not applicable for all of them,” Falana said.

His warning comes after reports that Wike’s administration named 9,000 property owners as rent defaulters. Among them are 34 embassies, which face land reclamation threats.
The FCT plans to seal about 5,000 properties for unpaid rent from 10 to 43 years. This diplomatic crisis focus is relevant due to the FCT’s May 23, 2025, announcement. Some people have already affected structures, including the Peoples Democratic Party’s national secretariat.

President Bola Tinubu later intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for defaulters to pay.

That period expired on June 6, coinciding with Eid-el-Kabir, and the next steps remain uncertain.

Enforcement will resume by June 10. Concerns have been concerns that embassies might get involved in a possible diplomatic crisis.

Falana explained that Nigerian courts have repeatedly ruled against property sealing without due process, especially when diplomatic premises are concerned. “As far as the He stated that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations concerns embassy premises in Abuja. According to Article 22, these premises are inviolable. Any invasion of an embassy would cause a serious diplomatic crisis for Nigeria.

He questioned the legal basis for Wike’s directive, asserting it breaches Nigerian law and international obligations.

“The minister cannot order that a house be sealed 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 Peoples’ Rights Act.

Before taking action, you must give the owner a chance to make a representation,” Falana explained.

He called on top government officials, including the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Attorney General, to intervene and prevent a diplomatic crisis. While acknowledging the legitimacy of the FCT’s concerns over rent arrears, Falana emphasized enforcement must follow the rule of law. “If you want to collect rent, go to court,” he advised.

Falana emphasized that the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal has the final authority on property sealing and demolition. Anyone affected by threats to seal property should seek legal redress, he added, noting that Nigeria operates a democracy.