Proceedings in the alleged N577 million Abuja land fraud case involving two real estate executives were on Wednesday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sought an adjournment due to the absence of its witness.
The defendants, Chief Executive Officer of Homadil Realty Limited, Dr. Rebecca Godwin-Isaac, and Chief Executive Officer of Rychado Homes Limited, Idakwogi Richard John, are standing trial alongside their companies before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The EFCC had arraigned the defendants on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, forgery, obtaining money under false pretence and money laundering in connection with disputed land transactions in Cadastral Zone B07, Katampe District, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Chiamaka Njoku, informed the court that the prosecution’s witness could not attend proceedings following the death of his mother.
“We prepared the witness for today, but he lost his mother. We are asking for another date,” Njoku told the court.
Counsel to the defendants, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria Christopher Oshomegie and M.A. Ebute, did not oppose the application for adjournment.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until July 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.
According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants allegedly used forged documents to convince members of the public to purchase plots 1861, 1862 and 1863 in Katampe District despite allegedly lacking valid ownership rights to the properties.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The court had earlier granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties in like sum pending the determination of the case.
