The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a real estate developer, Mrs. Godwin-Isaac Rebecca Omokamo, over her alleged involvement in Abuja land fraud and money laundering amounting to about N500 million.
The defendant, also known as Bilkisu Ishaku Aliyu, was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on two separate charges.
She was arraigned alongside her husband, Isaac Yusuf Ishaku; their company, Homadil Realty Limited; as well as Idakwogi Richard John and a firm, Rychardo Homes Ltd.
While the first charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/77/2025, contained five counts, the second charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/76/2025, had 17 counts.
Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the defendants, between 2023 and 2024, collected over N500 million from multiple victims and laundered the funds through the accounts of various companies.
The anti-graft agency told the court that the defendants used forged documents, including a fake power of attorney, to claim ownership of Plot 4022, Guzape District, Abuja.
It further alleged that the first defendant used forged documents to secure a building permit from the FCT Department of Development Control and sold the land to a buyer for N70 million.
Furthermore, the EFCC alleged that the defendants obtained money under false pretenses by fraudulently misrepresenting ownership and title over plots 1861, 1862, and 1863, Cadastral Zone B07, Katampe District, Abuja, thereby inducing several unsuspecting individuals to part with money for the acquisition of the said properties, knowing the claims to be false.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to obtain, falsify, and fraudulently acquire Plot 4022, Guzape District, Abuja, belonging to one Mrs. Colleen Mero Yesufu, using false representation and fraudulent documents.
According to the EFCC, the defendants, by their actions, committed offences contrary to section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Meanwhile, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them before trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Following applications by defence lawyers, Mr. Christopher Oshomegie, SAN, and Mr. M. A. Ebutu, SAN, the court granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the sureties must be civil servants not below Grade Level 16 and must attach evidence of their salaries for the past three months.
In addition, the court emphasized that the sureties must be owners of landed property worth the bail sum and must depose to an affidavit of means.
Moreover, the court ordered the defendants to surrender their international passports and not travel outside the country without permission.
They were to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The cases were subsequently adjourned to July 21 and 22 for trial.
EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Samuel Chime, told the court that the prosecution had lined up 13 witnesses to testify in the matter.
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