An Abuja High Court has scheduled June 23 for the formal arraignment of Mr. Joseph Eriki, Director of Investigations and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), along with 11 others, over allegations of involvement in a multi-million-naira land fraud.
The case, which was before Justice Suleiman Belgore on Wednesday, involves a nine-count charge brought by the Federal Government, accusing the defendants of conspiracy and fraudulent dealings tied to plots of land in the Sabon Lugbe East Layout of Abuja.
According to court filings, the alleged offences took place between 2019 and 2024. The prosecution claims that the group illegally acquired and manipulated documents for plots numbered 461 to 470 and 486 to 496, to deceive a private firm, Etha Ventures Limited.
Among those named in the charge are Boniface Agwu, Ikechukwu Kanu, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, Surajo Aliyu, and Ogbole Michael, alongside five companies: Super Structure Limited, Bonatec Electrical Company Limited, Weatherfield Engineering Marine Services Limited, and Asher Information Services Limited.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Mr. David Kaswe, informed the court that efforts to enforce an arrest warrant previously issued on May 27 had so far been unsuccessful. He requested more time for security agencies to locate and produce the defendants for trial.
Although the accused were not physically present in court, several had legal representatives in attendance. Counsel for the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 9th defendants, Mr. C.S. Ekeocha, argued that his clients had not been formally served with the charge before the bench warrant was issued. He submitted motions seeking to overturn the warrant and for the court to grant bail following their eventual arraignment.
Similarly, Mr. E.E. Apeh, representing the 3rd defendant, also filed applications to challenge the bench warrant, urging the court to rule on the matter before proceeding further.
In response, Mr. Kaswe maintained that the defendants had deliberately evaded court summons, stating that the presence of their lawyers showed they were aware of the charges and had opted not to appear.
In a short ruling, Justice Belgore held that the defence’s submissions implied that the defendants had knowledge of the ongoing case and the order for their appearance. He ordered that all accused persons must be in court on June 23 to enter their pleas.
The case continues to draw public attention, particularly because of Mr. Eriki’s senior role within the FCTA and the allegations of high-level manipulation involving public office and property documentation.
