Police authorities have arrested Joseph Eriki, the Director of Investigation and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, over alleged involvement in a major land fraud scheme.
Eriki was detained alongside another suspect, Boniface Agwu, following months of failed attempts to bring the accused before the court.
Both men are now in custody, awaiting arraignment on charges including criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, and forgery. They are among a larger group of defendants implicated in an elaborate scheme to illegally occupy and develop plots of land reportedly belonging to a private developer, Etha Ventures.
According to the prosecution, the suspects unlawfully entered Plots 461–470 and 486–496 in the Sabon Lugbe East Layout of Abuja, erecting structures without the rightful owner’s consent.
Prosecutors further allege that the defendants secured a fraudulent consent judgment in suit number FCT/HC/CV/240/2018, effectively transferring the title of the disputed land—designated as Plot 1406—to Super Structures Limited, one of the companies linked to the accused.
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Alongside Eriki and Agwu, several others have been charged, including Ikechukwu Kanu; Prince Isaac Omoluwa; Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi; Sarajo Aliyu; and Ogbole Michael. Also named in the charges are Donatec Electrical Company Ltd., Super Structure Ltd., Weatherfield Engineering, Marine Service Ltd., and Asher Information Services Ltd. Some of the suspects remain at large.
The case had stalled for months due to the defendants’ failure to appear in court, despite being on administrative bail. On May 27, Justice Suleiman Belgore of the FCT High Court in Garki issued a bench warrant for their arrest.
At a previous court sitting, prosecution counsel David Kaswe said all efforts to secure the voluntary presence of the accused had been futile. Defence lawyers C.S. Ekeocha and E.E. Apeh had pledged on June 4 to produce their clients, but failed to follow through.
After four adjournments, Justice Belgore reaffirmed his warrant for the defendants’ arrest and fixed October 30, 2025, for a definite arraignment.
