EFCC Recovers N1 Billion Worth of Abuja Land Documents, Returns Titles to Owners

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully recovered N1 billion worth of land documents, returning four title deeds to their rightful owners. The documents had been falsified by a group of land fraudsters operating within Abuja, according to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede.

Olukoyede explained that the criminal syndicate had forged signatures, identification documents, and even passports of original land allottees, before declaring the legitimate documents missing. They then re-applied using these falsified credentials to obtain new titles. The EFCC, acting on credible intelligence, arrested the fraudsters and retrieved the forged documents, a process that involved collaboration with officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), particularly the Department of Land Administration and the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS).

The EFCC Chairman emphasized the importance of public cooperation in the fight against corruption and financial crimes, stressing that such criminal activities would not be tolerated. He also urged Nigerians to exercise caution and conduct due diligence when engaging in land transactions, especially in Abuja, where fraudsters are prevalent. Olukoyede reassured the public that the commission would continue to target land fraud syndicates operating in the capital and prosecute all involved parties.

Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Lands, FCTA, expressed gratitude to the EFCC for restoring confidence in the land administration system. He acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between the EFCC and the FCTA and vowed to continue supporting the commission’s efforts to combat land fraud.

The four land titles were returned to the legitimate owners during a ceremony on Tuesday. Among the beneficiaries, Asinobi Ogbuefi reclaimed his title for Plot 895 in Kaura District, valued at over N150 million. The family of the late Joseph Daze received the title for Plot 714 in Jahi District, worth over N400 million. Nuhu Umar regained the title for Plot 625 in Guzape District, valued at over N200 million, while Omar Bintawa received the Right of Occupancy for Plot 1167 in Katampe Extension, valued at N250 million.

One of the recipients, Nuhu Umar, expressed his appreciation to the EFCC for recovering his land. He thanked the agency for its dedication and efforts, emphasizing that the return of the property was a significant relief.

The EFCC’s investigation into land fraud has also led to the interim forfeiture of four plots of land tied to a separate fraud case. The plots, linked to the company Homadil Realty Limited and its managing director Bilkisu Aliyu, were part of a scheme involving the illegal sale of forged land documents.