The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of two plots of land earmarked for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate to the Federal Government.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the order following an application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The application, moved by ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha, was not opposed by the defence counsel, Hassan Liman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The court directed the ICPC, on behalf of the Federal Government, to supervise the completion of the proposed 962 housing units on the land in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the sole respondent in the case. The judge also ordered that the housing units be allocated to end users upon completion.
Justice Umar ordered the final forfeiture of Plot No. 5 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja, measuring about 122,015.80 square metres and valued at N1.94 billion, as well as Plot No. 4 in the same district, measuring approximately 157,198.30 square metres and valued at N3.34 billion. The court held that the properties were suspected proceeds of unlawful activity.
He further directed the ICPC to facilitate the handover of the forfeited properties to the FMBN and ordered both agencies to constitute a joint committee to oversee the completion of the housing project.
The ruling, delivered on December 11 and sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, followed an earlier interim forfeiture granted on July 9, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
According to the ICPC, investigations revealed that the lands were allocated by the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the construction of 962 housing units under the National Housing Fund scheme. The project, initiated during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was reportedly awarded to Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited.
The commission said the FMBN obtained a $65 million loan facility from Ecobank for the project and paid the developer the full amount, despite no housing units being constructed on the site. It also alleged that the developer attempted to sell the land to unsuspecting members of the public.
The ICPC said the forfeiture was necessary to secure the property for public benefit, noting that Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited is facing a separate criminal trial over the matter.
