Court Sets Fresh Date For Trial Of FCTA Director, Others Over Alleged Fraud

An Abuja High Court sitting in Garki has fixed June 23 for the arraignment of Joseph Eriki, the Director of Investigations and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), over his alleged involvement in a land fraud scandal.

Also facing charges are several other individuals: Boniface Agwu, Ikechukwu Kanu, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, Surajo Aliyu, and Ogbole Michael. Five companies are equally implicated in the case—Super Structure Limited, Bonatec Electrical Company Limited, Weatherfield Engineering Marine Services Limited, and Asher Information Services Limited.

Presiding Judge Suleiman Belgore adjourned proceedings to allow the Federal Government time to execute a bench warrant issued on May 27 for the arrest of the accused persons, aimed at ensuring their appearance in court.

During Wednesday’s session, the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that efforts to apprehend the defendants had so far been unsuccessful. He therefore requested more time for law enforcement to execute the warrant.

Although the defendants were not physically present in court, their legal representatives appeared on their behalf. Counsel for the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 9th defendants, Mr. C.S. Ekeocha, contested the arrest order, arguing that his clients had not been served the formal charges before being declared wanted. He said he had filed applications to set aside the bench warrant and also for bail, pending arraignment.

Similarly, Mr. E.E. Apeh, counsel to the third defendant, told the court he had submitted related motions and urged the court to consider them before taking further steps in the matter.

However, Kaswe opposed these motions, maintaining that the defendants deliberately avoided court summons.

In his ruling, Justice Belgore noted that the lawyers’ arguments indicated their clients were aware of the charges and the court’s directive. He ordered that the defendants must be physically present at the next hearing to enter their pleas on the nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired to defraud Etha Ventures Limited of plots 461 to 470 and 486 to 496 in Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja, between 2019 and 2024. They are accused of using forged land documents to deceive the company—an offence in violation of Section 366 of the Penal Code (2009) and punishable under Section 364.

Specifically, the Federal Government claims that Eriki, with fraudulent intent, falsified land information and submitted the forged documents to the Attorney General’s office.