Police operatives have arrested the Director of Investigation and Prosecution of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Joseph Eriki, over alleged involvement in a high-profile land fraud scheme.

Eriki was arrested alongside one Boniface Agwu. Both men are currently in custody and will be arraigned on charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, and forgery. Several other suspects in the case remain at large.

The duo, along with other defendants—identified as Ikechukwu Kanu, Donatec Electrical Company Limited, Super Structure Limited, Weatherfield Engineering, Marine Service Limited, Asher Information Services Limited, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, Sarajo Aliyu, and Ogbole Michael—allegedly conspired to unlawfully take possession of Plots 461–470 and 486–496, originally owned by Etha Ventures.

According to the prosecution, the defendants fraudulently obtained a consent judgment in suit number FCT/HC/CV/240/2018, which transferred the title of Plot 1406 (covering Plots 461–470 and 486–496) in Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja, to Super Structure Limited—a move allegedly aimed at defrauding Etha Ventures.

Justice Suleiman Belgore of the FCT High Court, Garki, had on May 27 issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendants to secure their appearance in court to face a 9-count charge relating to land grabbing.

Prosecution counsel David Kaswe told the court that while the accused had previously been granted administrative bail and were informed of the charges, repeated attempts to bring them to court proved unsuccessful.

On June 4, defence counsel C.S. Ekeocha and E.E. Apeh had assured the court that their clients would appear. However, following four failed attempts to secure their attendance, Justice Belgore has now fixed October 30 for their definite arraignment.