By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a request by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to temporarily take over two large plots of land originally approved for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the application on Wednesday after the ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, moved a motion ex parte.
The judge ordered the interim forfeiture of the multi-billion-naira properties pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The ICPC, in its application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1124/2025, listed the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) as the sole respondent. The anti-graft agency sought an order for the temporary forfeiture of:
Plot No. 5, Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja, measuring approximately 122,015.80m² and valued at ₦1.94 billion, and
Plot No. 4, same location, measuring 157,198.30m² and valued at ₦3.34 billion.
The ICPC alleged that the lands were proceeds of unlawful activity and sought to prevent them from being sold or converted for personal gain. The commission also requested an order directing it to publish a public notice in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
According to an affidavit deposed by ICPC officer Iliya Marcus, the commission received intelligence that FMBN had engaged a private developer,Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited,to construct 962 residential housing units under the National Housing Fund scheme.
Marcus stated that following approval on July 30, 2012, FMBN entered into a framework agreement with the developer on January 27, 2012, and appointed a consultant on February 1, 2012, to monitor the project’s progress.
He revealed that FMBN secured a $65 million loan from Ecobank Nigeria Limited for the project
The ICPC, however, noted that despite the disbursement of ₦3.78 billion to Good Earth Power Nigeria Ltd on November 22, 2012, no housing units have been constructed at the project site.
The Commission also said that the developer received the full project funding without evidence of registration with the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN)—a mandatory requirement before such payments.
Further investigation revealed that the company was making clandestine moves to sell off the lands, potentially to unsuspecting members of the public. The ICPC warned that such actions would make it nearly impossible to recover the properties.
The ICPC lawyer Akponimisingha, in court, reiterated that the project was part of a massive housing initiative launched during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan,meant to be named in his honour.
He informed the court that the developers, including some American nationals, had allegedly absconded and remained unreachable.
He emphasized that although the developer is already facing prosecution in a separate case before Justice James Omotosho, the forfeiture application was aimed at protecting the land and public interest.
In his ruling, Justice Umar expressed concern over the full disbursement of funds without any visible progress and granted the interim forfeiture request. He adjourned the case until October 27 for a report on compliance.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
