Authorities Initiate Arrest Warrant for FCTA Official Due to Land Scam Accusations
Abuja Court Issues Arrest Warrant for FCTA Director Over Alleged Land Fraud
In a landmark decision, an Abuja High Court in Garki has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Joseph Eriki, the Director of Investigations and Prosecution of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), due to his alleged involvement in a multi-billion-naira land fraud scandal.
Justice Suleiman Belgore, presiding over the court, made this decision after Eriki failed to appear for a hearing to respond to a nine-count charge filed by the federal government. The charges, pertaining to land fraud, accuse Eriki and 11 other defendants of conspiring to defraud Etha Ventures Limited of several plots of land in Sabon Lugbe, East Layout, Abuja, between 2019 and 2024.
The defendants, including Eriki, are accused of using forged documents to unlawfully acquire the land, violating Section 366 of the Penal Code, 2009. The offence is punishable under Section 364 of the same Act. The other defendants in the case are Boniface Agwu, Ikechukwu Kanu, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, Surajo Aliyu, Ogbole Michael, and several companies: Super Structure Limited, Bonatec Electrical Company Limited, Weatherfield Engineering Marine Services Limited, and Asher Information Services Limited.
The federal government alleges that Eriki intentionally falsified information regarding the plots of land and submitted forged documents to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. During the hearing, prosecutor David Kaswe requested the court to issue a bench warrant under Section 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to compel the defendants' attendance.
The case was adjourned until June 4 for the defendants' arraignment. However, Eriki remains at large, as the bench warrant was issued in his absence.
This high-profile case highlights growing concerns about corruption and land fraud within the FCTA and the broader legal system in Nigeria. It follows reports of police involvement in another land fraud case involving forgery of documents and manipulation of AGIS data in Abuja. As the investigation continues, it is hoped that justice will be served, and those found guilty will be held accountable for their actions.
- The high-profile case involving Joseph Eriki, the FCTA Director of Investigations and Prosecution, has been linked to the Political sphere in Naija, as he is accused of land fraud in Abuja.
- In a similar context of general-news, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been involved in addressing concerns about corruption and land fraud within the FCTA.
- Meanwhile, the PDP, a major political party in Nigeria, is yet to comment on the recent arrest warrant issued for Eriki, who is a key figure in the current controversy.
- The Crime-and-Justice sector is closely watching this development, as it could set a precedent for handling such cases in the future, potentially impacting the integrity of land transactions in Abuja and across Nigeria.
