EFCC has arraigned two FCDA officials over the alleged illegal sale of four FCT staff houses in Abuja, with both defendants pleading not guilty.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its anti-corruption campaign with the arraignment of two officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) over allegations that they illegally sold government-owned residential properties in Abuja.
The defendants, Folashade Oketope and Mohammed Kabir Usman, were brought before Justice B.M. Bassi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Jabi, Abuja.
The case, which was filed by the EFCC, centres on allegations of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and corruption linked to the disposal of four staff houses belonging to the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
According to information released by the anti-graft agency, the alleged offences were committed between 2024 and 2025 while the two officials were responsible for overseeing government-owned residential properties allocated to employees of the FCT Administration.
Investigators alleged that the defendants unlawfully facilitated the sale of Houses 3, 4, 7 and 8 located on Plot 756, Abubakar Usman Crescent in the Jabi District of Abuja.
The EFCC claimed the properties, which were government assets, were sold to private individuals without lawful authority, resulting in the alleged misappropriation of public property.
The Commission stated that the defendants were entrusted with managing the staff housing units and were expected to preserve them in accordance with the law.
Instead, prosecutors alleged that they abused that responsibility by converting the properties to private use through unauthorized transactions.
One of the charges before the court accuses the defendants of dishonestly disposing of the government houses despite holding them in trust for the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
The prosecution argued that the alleged conduct contravenes Sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation 2004, which deal with criminal breach of trust and prescribe penalties for such offences.
In addition to the alleged unlawful sale of the properties, the EFCC accused both officials of accepting financial inducements connected to the transactions.
According to the third count filed before the court, Oketope allegedly received ₦5 million, while Usman allegedly accepted ₦4 million from one Anthony Ezekwugo.
The Commission alleged that the money was paid as gratification to facilitate the transfer of the government-owned houses to private buyers.
The prosecution argued that the alleged payments amounted to corrupt enrichment by public officials and violated provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which prohibits public officers from receiving rewards or inducements in connection with their official duties.
When the charges were read before the court, both defendants pleaded not guilty, indicating their intention to contest the allegations during trial.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel F.S. Mohammed urged the court to fix a date for trial and requested that both defendants be remanded in correctional facilities pending the hearing of the case.
Counsel for the defendants, L. Ojinma, opposed the request, asking the court to grant bail. The defence argued that the accused persons remained innocent in the eyes of the law until proven guilty and should be allowed to prepare their defence while on bail.
After listening to both parties, Justice B.M. Bassi granted bail to each defendant in the sum of ₦10 million with one reliable surety.
The judge attached several conditions to the bail. Each surety must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, provide proof of ownership of landed property in the FCT, swear to an affidavit of means, and submit recent passport photographs to the court.
The court further ruled that until the bail conditions are fully met, the defendants should remain in custody.
Oketope was ordered to be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while Usman was directed to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Bassi subsequently adjourned the matter until October 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The case adds to a growing number of corruption-related prosecutions involving public officials accused of mismanaging government assets.
While the EFCC maintains that the prosecution demonstrates its commitment to protecting public property and ensuring accountability in public service, the defendants remain presumed innocent under Nigerian law until the court reaches a final verdict after hearing all the evidence.
The trial is expected to determine whether the prosecution can establish beyond reasonable doubt that the officials abused their positions, unlawfully disposed of government-owned houses and received illegal gratification in connection with the transactions.
The proceedings are also likely to attract public attention because they involve public assets intended for government workers within the Federal Capital Territory.
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