Drama In Abuja: Court Orders Arrest Of Top FCTA Director Over Explosive Land Fraud Scandal

An Abuja High Court sitting in Garki has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Joseph Eriki, the Director of Investigations and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), over alleged involvement in a multi-plot land fraud case.

Justice Suleiman Belgore gave the order on Tuesday after Eriki failed to appear in court to enter a plea regarding a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government against him and 11 others.

The charges pertain to an alleged conspiracy to defraud Etha Ventures Limited of several land plots — specifically plots 461 to 470 and 486 to 496 — located in Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja, between 2019 and 2024.

According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly used forged documents to illegally acquire the plots, a violation of Section 366 of the Penal Code, 2009, which is punishable under Section 364 of the same law.

Other individuals named in the case include Boniface Agwu, Ikechukwu Kanu, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, Surajo Aliyu, Ogbole Michael, as well as five companies:

• Super Structure Limited

• Bonatec Electrical Company Limited

• Weatherfield Engineering Marine Services Limited

• Asher Information Services Limited

The Federal Government also accuses Eriki of deliberately falsifying land records and submitting forged documents to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

During the session, government counsel David Kaswe noted that the defendants are currently on administrative bail but had repeatedly failed to show up for arraignment, despite being properly notified.

He requested the court to invoke Section 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and issue arrest warrants to compel their attendance.

Justice Belgore granted the request and ordered that the accused persons be brought to court for arraignment on June 4.