By: Bayero Ade
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully recovered and returned four land title documents to their rightful owners after uncovering a syndicate involved in land fraud in Abuja.
The syndicate, according to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, forged land documents, falsified signatures, and used fake identification to illegally acquire properties.
Acting on intelligence, EFCC operatives arrested the culprits and recovered the stolen documents in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), and the Department of Land Administration.
The returned documents include properties valued at millions of naira, including a plot in Kaura District worth ₦150 million, which was returned to Asinobi Ogbuefi, a ₦400 million plot in Jahi District, now handed over to the family of late Joseph Daze, a ₦200 million plot in Guzape District reclaimed by Nuhu Umar, and a plot in Katampe Extension valued at ₦250 million, which was returned to Omar Bintawa.
Olukoyede warned that the EFCC would not allow fraudsters to profit from criminal activities and urged Nigerians to carry out thorough verifications before purchasing land.
The Director of Lands for the FCT, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, commended the EFCC for restoring confidence in the land administration system and exposing corrupt officials.
One of the beneficiaries, Nuhu Umar, expressed gratitude, saying he had lost hope of recovering his land but was now relieved.
This recovery follows a Federal High Court order for the interim forfeiture of four plots linked to a fraudulent scheme involving Homadil Realty Limited and its managing director, Bilkisu Aliyu (also known as Rebecca Godwin), who faces charges of document forgery and illegal land sales.
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