Abuja Land Grab: Police arrest FCTA director Joseph Eriki

The police have arrested Joseph Eriki, the director of investigation and prosecution of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, over alleged land fraud.

Mr Eriki was arrested alongside Boniface Agwu and is currently in custody until arraignment for criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, and forgery. Other suspects are said to be at large.

Messrs Eriki and Agwu were 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 were alleged to have unlawfully entered Plots 461–470 and 486–496 belonging to Etha Ventures and erected structures with the intention of defrauding Etha Ventures.

According to the prosecution, to actualise their intent, the defendants fraudulently secured a consent judgment in suit number FCT/HC/CV/240/2018, given the title of Plot 1406 (461-470 and 486-496) Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja, to Super Structures Limited.

Justice Suleiman Belgore of the FCT High Court in Garki had, on May 27, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendants for their arraignment on a nine-count charge of alleged land grab.

The prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, had told the court that the defendants were 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.

After four consecutive adjournments, Mr Belgore fixed October 30 for the definite arraignment.

(NAN)