Alleged N500m land fraud: Court adjourns trial of realtor, husband, others to October 26

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until October 26 the trial of four alleged land grabbers accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of defrauding property buyers of over N500million through forged land titles and false ownership claims.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date after admitting several documentary exhibits tendered by the EFCC.

Standing trial are real estate developer, Mrs Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, her husband, Isaac Yusuf Ishaku, Idakwogi Richard John, and two companies—Homadil Realty Limited and Rychardo Homes Limited.

The EFCC alleged that between 2023 and 2024, the defendants falsely claimed ownership of several plots in Guzape and Katampe districts of Abuja, forged title documents, sold the property to unsuspecting buyers and laundered the proceeds through company accounts.

The commission further alleged that they forged a power of attorney over Plot 4022, Guzape District, belonging to Mrs Colleen Mero Yesufu, obtained a building permit from the FCT Department of Development Control and later sold the land for N70million.

The alleged fraud also involved Plots 1861, 1862 and 1863 in Cadastral Zone B07, Katampe District.

According to the EFCC, the offences contravene Section 8(a) and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

The defendants were arraigned on June 18, 2025, on a five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/77/2025 and a 17-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/76/2025. They pleaded not guilty.

Two prosecution witnesses—Ahmed Gbigbadua of the EFCC and Abdulhamid Wundil of the FCT Department of Land Administration, told the court that the defendants presented fake title documents to buyers and failed to establish ownership during investigations.

Gbigbadua said the investigation commenced after human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), petitioned the EFCC on behalf of Yesufu.

The first defendant, Omokamo, was produced in court after the EFCC was ordered to arrest and present her following her absence at the previous sitting.

Justice Abdulmalik, however, declined an application seeking her remand in EFCC custody pending the next hearing. All four defendants remain on bail in the sum of N10million each, with two sureties apiece, while their international passports remain in the custody of the court.