EFCC arraigns ex-company MD over N108m Abuja land scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Managing Director of Buffah S.K. & Co. Limited, Musa Saidu Koki, also known as Alhaji Baffa, over an alleged N108.07 million land fraud.

Koki was brought before Justice F. E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, on Tuesday on a five-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud and obtaining by false pretence.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly defrauded victims through transactions involving a disputed property at Plot 526, Cadastral Zone C04, Guzape, Abuja.

The anti-graft agency alleged that on August 15, 2024, Koki obtained N7 million from one Justice Enenche as an agency fee after falsely claiming to be the beneficial owner of the property and entering into a joint venture agreement with the complainant.

The commission further alleged that between December 2024 and subsequent months, the defendant induced Voice Real Estate Limited to invest in a joint venture to develop the same property, resulting in an alleged loss of N97.57 million.

The EFCC claimed Koki misrepresented the property as being free of encumbrances despite allegedly knowing that its beneficial owner was former Abia State Governor and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all five charges.

Following his plea, EFCC counsel, F. O. Dibang, asked the court to remand Koki in Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial, while defence counsel, T. Tonye, urged the court to allow him to remain on the administrative bail earlier granted by the commission.

Justice Messiri granted the request, allowing the defendant to continue on the existing administrative bail. The judge also ordered him to submit copies of his National Identification Number (NIN) slip and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to the court registrar.

The case was adjourned until July 29 for the commencement of trial.