Top FCTA Official Arrested in Explosive Abuja Land Fraud Case

The Nigerian Police have apprehended Joseph Eriki, Director of Investigation and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), along with one Boniface Agwu, following a bench warrant issued by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.

As gathered by iReporter Online, the arrest stems from their alleged involvement in a major land fraud case. Justice Suleiman Belgore had ordered the arrest of Eriki and others on May 27, 2025, after their repeated failure to appear for arraignment on a nine-count criminal charge bordering on land grabbing, conspiracy, trespass, and forgery.

The Federal Government is prosecuting the suspects over claims that they fraudulently encroached on plots 461–470 and 486–496 within the Sabon Lugbe East Layout of Abuja, properties legally belonging to Etha Ventures. The defendants are accused of illegally erecting structures on the disputed land and allegedly securing a consent judgment to fraudulently transfer ownership to Super Structures Limited.

Among the co-defendants are several companies and individuals, including Ikechukwu Kanu, Donatec Electrical Company Limited, Weatherfield Engineering, and others. The case has witnessed multiple adjournments, with promises from defense counsel to produce their clients, which were never fulfilled.

During a June 4 hearing, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been placed on administrative bail but had persistently failed to show up in court, prompting the judge to reaffirm his arrest order.

Following their arrest in Abuja, Eriki and Agwu are expected to remain in custody until their formal arraignment, which has now been scheduled for October 30, 2025.