The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of four plots of land linked to a land fraud scheme under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The case involves Homadil Realty Limited and its Managing Director, Bilkisu Aliyu, also known as Rebecca Godwin, who are accused of forging land documents and illegally selling the plots to unsuspecting buyers.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the interim forfeiture order on December 20, following an ex parte application filed by the EFCC on December 11.
The affected properties include Plot 4022, Guzape District Cadastral Zone A09, and Plots 1861, 1862, and 1863 in Cadastral Zone B07 Katampe, all located in Abuja.
The court granted the EFCC’s request, ordering the interim forfeiture of the properties to the federal government for 60 days, during which the commission is expected to conclude its investigations.
“That an order is hereby made forfeiting in the interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the property set out in the schedule to this application pending the period of 60 days of the investigation,” the court ruled.
The judge set February 20, 2025, as the date for the EFCC to report its findings.
Documents from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) reveal that the alleged scheme began with some officials within the Lands Department of the FCTA reportedly conspiring with Mrs. Aliyu.
An investigative report dated October 17, 2023, and signed by Eriki Joseph, Director of Investigation and Prosecution at the FCT Legal Services Secretariat, detailed how the fraudulent activities were carried out.
The panel, chaired by Mr. Joseph and including Chief Land Officer Mahmud Jibril and Development Control officials Michael Bawa and Grace Ogbole, uncovered that Mrs. Aliyu allegedly forged a Power of Attorney. This forgery was fraudulently introduced into the Land Information System (LIS) of the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) to obtain Development Control approval illegally.
When the Development Control department discovered the irregularities, it suspended the building plan on Plot 4022 in Guzape and sealed the property. However, Mrs. Aliyu allegedly refused to comply with the directive.
The investigative panel concluded that the development on Plot 4022 in Guzape was illegal and recommended its removal. It also advised prosecuting Mrs. Aliyu for tampering with the LIS and forging title documents.
Mero Yesufu, a victim of the alleged fraud, claimed her family was affected by the illegal development of their plot in Guzape and the fraudulent sale of their plots in Katampe using forged documents.
“This fraud has destroyed our lives,” said Ms. Yesufu. “We’ve lost not just our property but also our trust in the legal and property systems.”
In a phone interview, Mrs. Aliyu denied all allegations, stating that her company operates transparently and lawfully.
“Homadil Realty has never been involved in fraudulent land transactions. These allegations are baseless attempts by detractors to tarnish our reputation,” she said.
She claimed the EFCC was treating her unfairly and insisted that her title documents were genuine. According to her, the person who sold the property, Richard John, admitted to EFCC officials that she paid for the land in full.
The Human Rights and Torture group (INAHURAT) has accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of shielding Mrs. Aliyu despite clear evidence of fraud.
In letters to the IGP and the EFCC chairman, INAHURAT’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, alleged that the IGP used his office to obstruct justice by protecting Mrs. Aliyu.
“Despite overwhelming evidence based on thorough investigations by competent authorities, justice has been obstructed by your order to keep her escort to restrict lawful arrest,” Opara wrote.
He further alleged that armed police officers were deployed to guard the illegal construction site, frustrating EFCC’s attempts to arrest Mrs. Aliyu.
INAHURAT has called for an independent investigation into the case, compensation for the victims, and the prosecution of the suspects. The group also urged the EFCC to warn Nigerians against engaging with the suspects or their companies.
Efforts to reach the Nigeria Police Force and the FCT Command for comments were unsuccessful as neither responded to messages or calls.
