EFCC arraigns three, two firms over N23m land fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned three men and two companies before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over an alleged N23 million land fraud.

The defendants are Paul Olufemi Ogunlana, Olaniyi Rufai, Dauda Bashir, Unified Luxury Homes Limited and Utopian Planning Ltd.

They were arraigned on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, before Justice Ngozika C. Nwabulu on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants defrauded Lucky U. Odigie of N23 million in 2023 after allegedly presenting themselves as owners of a 2.2-hectare parcel of land in Gausa District, off Airport Road, Abuja.

According to the commission, the defendants allegedly presented a Power of Attorney to Odigie, claiming they had authority to sell the property.

The EFCC alleged that the representation was false and that the defendants obtained the money from Odigie as payment for the land.

One of the charges accused the defendants of conspiring to obtain the N23 million under false pretences, while the second alleged that they falsely represented the land as belonging to them and available for sale.

A sixth suspect, Tayo Yusuf Adeyinka, was also listed in the charges but is currently at large.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their pleas, EFCC counsel, Mariya Ujudud Sheriff, asked the court to allow the trial to commence.

The defence lawyers, however, filed bail applications on behalf of their clients.

Justice Nwabulu subsequently granted each defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with one surety in like sum.

The judge ordered that the sureties must be civil servants of Grade Level 12 or above.

The court adjourned the case until September 22, 2026, for commencement of trial.