A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) temporary possession of two land plots originally earmarked for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate.
This decision aims to prevent the sale or use of the land while a main lawsuit is ongoing.
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The plots, both located in Abuja’s Kaba District, cover approximately 122,015 square meters and is valued over at N1.9 billion and the other spans over 157,198 square meters and is worth over N3.3 billion.
The ICPC stated that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had allocated these lands for 962 low-cost housing units as part of a government scheme, managed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and a private developer, Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited.
ICPC investigations revealed that despite a full loan disbursement of $65 million (about N14 billion at the time) to the developer, no houses were built. The commission noted that the developer was not registered with the relevant real estate body, a prerequisite for such payments.
Concerns were raised that the land might be secretly sold, similar to how the funds disappeared without tangible results. The land’s value has now reportedly surged to over N200 billion, and individuals linked to the company, including some foreign nationals, are said to be in hiding.
The ICPC sought a temporary forfeiture order and permission to publish a notice inviting claimants to show cause why the property should not be permanently seized by the federal government.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the request, questioning the full disbursement of such a large sum without visible progress.
The case is adjourned until October 27 for an update on the court’s order.
