Joseph Eriki, director of Investigation and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has been arrested over alleged involvement in a land fraud scheme.
Joseph Eriki was apprehended alongside Boniface Agwu, and both are currently in custody pending arraignment on charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, and forgery.
Authorities disclosed that additional suspects remain at large.
The duo was charged alongside Ikechukwu Kanu, Donatec Electrical Company Limited, Super Structure Limited, Weatherfield Engineering, Marine Service Limited, Asher Information Services Limited, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, and Sarajo Aliyu Ogbole Michael.
They are accused of unlawfully taking possession of Plot 461–470 and 486–496, properties belonging to Etha Ventures, and erecting structures on the land with the intent to defraud the rightful owners.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly secured a fraudulent consent judgment in suit number FCT/HC/CV/240/2018, which conferred title of Plot 1406 (461–470 and 486–496), Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja, to Super Structures Limited.
On May 27, Justice Suleiman Belgore of the FCT High Court, Garki, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendants to compel their appearance in court on a nine-count charge linked to the alleged land grabbing.
During proceedings, Prosecution Counsel David Kaswe told the court that the defendants had been released on administrative bail. He added that they had been “duly informed of the charges against them and that all efforts to bring them to court had been abortive.”
On June 4, defence counsel C.S. Ekeocha and E.E. Apeh assured the court that their clients would present themselves for arraignment.
However, despite these assurances, Justice Belgore reaffirmed the bench warrant, stressing that it would remain in force.
Following four consecutive adjournments, the court has now fixed October 30 for definite arraignment. (NAN)