Rights group offers to assist victims of land fraud, petitions LPDC over lawyers’ conduct

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

A human rights group, the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), has urged alleged victims of land fraud in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to come forward with their complaints, promising to assist them in seeking justice.

The group also disclosed that it has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against some lawyers over alleged professional misconduct connected with disputed land transactions in Abuja.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja,  its representative, Dr Maxwell Opara, said the petition concerns allegations relating to court filings, corporate records and the conduct of legal proceedings.

The press conference focused on alleged land disputes involving properties in Katampe, Guzape and Kado districts.

The group cited Plot 387 in Guzape and Plot 282 in Kado, alleging that questions had arisen over corporate ownership records, property titles and the handling of documents relating to the plots.

He called for greater accountability in the handling of land-related complaints and urged law enforcement agencies to investigate allegations of irregularities in property transactions and land records.

The group also raised concerns about the alleged roles of some legal practitioners and security personnel in the disputes.

It called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate complaints of alleged interference with inquiries and to address any established wrongdoing through lawful procedures.

INAHURAT urged the authorities to handle the complaints transparently, stressing that property ownership disputes should be resolved through credible investigations and due process rather than intimidation or prolonged litigation.

The organisation encouraged affected residents to preserve relevant documents, including title papers, transaction records, correspondence and copies of petitions, and to submit their complaints to the appropriate law enforcement or land administration authorities.

INAHURAT commended what it described as dedicated officers within the EFCC and the police who had stood against systemic corruption.

It, however, condemned alleged corrupt practices by elements within security agencies, including the alleged concealment of investigations, intimidation of whistleblowers and victimisation of officers who resist wrongdoing.