The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned three men and two companies before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama over an alleged ₦23 million land fraud.
The defendants are Paul Olufemi Ogunlana, Olaniyi Rufai, Dauda Bashir, Unified Luxury Homes Limited and Utopian Planning Ltd.
They were arraigned before Justice Ngozika C. Nwabulu on two counts bordering on conspiracy, stealing by conversion and obtaining money under false pretence.
The case relates to the purported sale of a 2.2-hectare parcel of land situated in Gausa District, off Airport Road, Abuja.
According to Sahara Reporters, the defendants allegedly presented themselves as the owners or authorised sellers of the property and obtained ₦23 million from Lucky U. Odigie.
The complainant reportedly told the Commission that the defendants approached him with a purported Power of Attorney authorising them to sell the land.
The EFCC alleged that the document later turned out to be false and that the defendants had no authority to dispose of the property.
The first count alleged that the defendants conspired with Tayo Yusuf Adeyinka, who is currently at large, to obtain the money from Odigie in 2023 by falsely claiming that they had the authority to sell the property.
The charge was brought under Sections 96 and 97 of the Penal Code Law applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.
The second count alleged that the defendants obtained the ₦23 million with intent to defraud by falsely representing that the land belonged to them and was available for sale.
When the charges were read, all the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel Mariya Ujudud Sheriff asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Osaretin A. Uwangue appeared for the first and fourth defendants, while S. O. Yahaya represented the second defendant. Najib Adamu appeared for the third and fifth defendants.
The defence lawyers filed separate bail applications on behalf of their clients.
After hearing the submissions, Justice Nwabulu granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦500,000, with one surety in the same amount.
The court directed that each surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 12.
The case was adjourned until September 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The allegations remain unproven, and the defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty by a competent court.
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