EFCC Arraigns Three Alleged Land Grabbers, Two Firms Over N23m Abuja Land Fraud

By Chibuzo Obidike

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned three men and two companies before the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over an alleged N23 million land fraud.

The defendants are Paul Olufemi Ogunlana, Olaniyi Rufai, Dauda Bashir, Unified Luxury Homes Limited and Utopian Planning Ltd.

They were accused of allegedly obtaining N23 million from Lucky U. Odigie after falsely presenting themselves as owners of a 2.2-hectare parcel of land at Gausa District, off Airport Road, Abuja.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants used a purported Power of Attorney to convince Odigie that they had authority to sell the property.

They were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence. All the defendants pleaded not guilty.

Following applications by their lawyers, Justice Ngozika C. Nwabulu granted each defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with one surety in like sum.

The court ordered that the sureties must be civil servants not below Grade Level 12 and adjourned the case until September 22, 2026, for commencement of trial.

The allegations are yet to be proven in court.