Top FCTA Official Caught in Land Fraud Storm — Arrest Order Issued
An Abuja High Court sitting in Garki has fixed June 23 for the arraignment of the Director of Investigations and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Joseph Eriki, along with several others, over alleged involvement in a major land fraud scandal.
Other defendants expected to face charges include Boniface Agwu, Ikechukwu Kanu, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, Surajo Aliyu, and Ogbole Michael, as well as five corporate entities: Super Structure Limited, Bonatec Electrical Company Limited, Weatherfield Engineering Marine Services Limited, and Asher Information Services Limited.
Justice Suleiman Belgore announced the new date after revealing that the Federal Government has yet to execute a bench warrant issued on May 27 to compel the defendants’ appearance in court.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel Mr. David Kaswe informed the court that multiple efforts to apprehend the accused had failed. He requested additional time for security agencies to carry out the arrest orders.
Interestingly, although the accused were absent in person, their legal representatives were present in court. Mr. C.S. Ekeocha, who represented four of the defendants, challenged the arrest order, arguing that his clients were never formally served with the charges before being declared wanted. He also submitted applications to nullify the bench warrant and requested bail for his clients once they are arraigned.
Similarly, Mr. E.E. Apeh, counsel to another defendant, filed a motion to set aside the bench warrant and pressed the court to hear that motion before proceeding with the trial.
The prosecution opposed these moves, insisting that the defendants deliberately avoided appearing before the court.
In his ruling, Justice Belgore stated that the defendants were clearly aware of both the charges and the court’s summons. He ordered their lawyers to ensure their clients are present on the next court date to enter their plea on a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government.
According to the charge, the accused conspired between 2019 and 2024 to defraud Etha Ventures Limited of several plots of land—plots 461 to 470 and 486 to 496—located at Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja.
They are accused of presenting forged land documents to the Attorney General’s office, in violation of Section 366 of the Penal Code (2009), an offense punishable under Section 364.
