Police have arrested Joseph Eriki, the Director of Investigation and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), over allegations of land fraud and criminal conspiracy.
Eriki was arrested along with Boniface Agwu. Both men are now in police custody and are expected to appear in court soon. The police say other suspects involved in the case are still on the run.
The two officials were charged along with several others, including Ikechukwu Kanu, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, and Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, as well as companies like Donatec Electrical Company Ltd, Super Structure Ltd, and Weatherfield Engineering.
The prosecution said the accused illegally entered and took over land belonging to Etha Ventures, located on Plot 461–470 and 486–496 in Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja. They allegedly started building on the land with the aim of defrauding the rightful owner.
“They fraudulently secured a consent judgment in suit number FCT/HC/CV/240/2018, giving the land title to Super Structure Limited,” the prosecution said.
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On May 27, Justice Suleiman Belgore of the FCT High Court in Garki issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendants. He said they must appear in court to face a 9-count charge of alleged land grabbing, criminal trespass, and forgery.
Prosecuting lawyer David Kaswe told the court that the defendants had earlier been granted administrative bail and were aware of the charges against them.
“Despite repeated efforts, they failed to appear in court,” Kaswe said.
The defendants’ lawyers had previously promised to bring them to court. But after four failed attempts, Justice Belgore restated his order for their arrest.
The court has now fixed October 30 as the date for definite arraignment of all accused persons.