Joseph Eriki, the Director of Investigation and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has been arrested by police in connection with an alleged multi-million naira land fraud scandal that has rocked Abuja’s real estate sector. Eriki was apprehended alongside Boniface Agwu and is expected to remain in custody until formal charges are filed against them in court.
The duo faces serious allegations including conspiracy, criminal trespass, and forgery in what prosecutors describe as a deliberate attempt to defraud Etha Ventures, a private landowner in Abuja. According to court filings, Eriki and Agwu unlawfully took possession of plots of land belonging to Etha Ventures and allegedly began construction projects aimed at seizing the property under false pretenses.
Investigators claim the suspects used a fraudulent court judgment to transfer ownership of the disputed land to Super Structures Limited, a third party believed to be connected to the accused. The case has sparked outrage among property developers and legal professionals, raising new concerns about corruption within land administration in the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Suleiman Belgore of the FCT High Court had previously issued an arrest warrant for the accused after repeated failures to appear in court. Despite being granted bail and informed of the pending charges, the suspects reportedly evaded court appearances, prompting the judge to uphold the arrest order.
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During a hearing on June 4, defense counsel had pledged to ensure their clients would attend subsequent proceedings. However, the court found their assurances unconvincing in light of continued delays. Justice Belgore has now fixed October 30 as the official arraignment date for Eriki, Agwu, and any additional co-conspirators who may still be at large.
The arrest of a top-ranking FCTA official has added new urgency to ongoing efforts to clean up Abuja’s notoriously murky land allocation system. As the case unfolds, many will be watching closely to see if the prosecution delivers on its promise to hold all involved parties accountable and restore public trust in the capital’s justice and land administration institutions.
