The Nigeria Police have arrested Mr. Joseph Eriki, Director of Investigation and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), over alleged criminal conspiracy, forgery, and land grabbing.
Eriki was apprehended alongside Mr. Boniface Agwu following a bench warrant issued by Justice Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Garki Division. The arrest stems from a nine-count criminal charge filed by the Federal Government, accusing the defendants of criminal trespass, conspiracy, and fraudulent acquisition of land.
Both men are listed as the 1st and 3rd defendants in the suit. Several other defendants in the case remain at large.
The court had, on May 27, 2025, ordered the arrest of the accused after they failed to appear for their arraignment despite being granted administrative bail and being duly informed of the charges. At a subsequent sitting on June 4, their counsel, C.S. Ekeocha and E.E. Apeh, assured the court that the defendants would be present for arraignment. However, repeated adjournments followed without their appearance.
Frustrated by the delay, Justice Belgore reaffirmed his bench warrant, and the court has now fixed October 30 for the arraignment of the accused. Mr. Eriki and Mr. Agwu are currently in police custody and are expected to remain there until the scheduled court date.
Other individuals and entities charged in the case include Ikechukwu Kanu; Donatec Electrical Company Limited; Super Structure Limited; Weatherfield Engineering; Marine Service Limited; Asher Information Services Limited; Prince Isaac Omoluwa; Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi; Sarajo Aliyu; and Ogbole Michael.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants unlawfully entered and developed Plots 461–470 and 486–496 in Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja—land legally belonging to Etha Ventures. To legitimize their claim, the accused allegedly secured a fraudulent consent judgment in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/240/2018, transferring the title of Plot 1406 to Super Structures Limited.
Prosecuting counsel David Kaswe said the actions of the accused were intended to dispossess Etha Ventures of its rightful property through fraudulent means.
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