The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has mandated the permanent forfeiture of two multi-billion naira plots of land designated for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order in favour of the federal government on December 11, following an unopposed application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha presented the motion, with no objection from defence lawyer Hassan Liman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The ruling which was sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) contained the forfeited properties including Plot No. 5 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja — spanning 122,015.80 square metres and valued at N1.944 billion, and Plot No. 4 in the same zone, covering 157,198.30 square metres worth N3.34 billion.
Both are suspected to be realised from proceeds of unlawful activity. Justice Umar directed the ICPC, acting for the federal government, to oversee construction of the planned 962 housing units in partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the sole respondent and alleged victim.
The judge instructed both agencies to form a joint committee for the project completion, while tasking them to ensure the units reach genuine end users. He also ordered the ICPC to hand over the properties to FMBN.
Background and ICPC Investigation
The case stemmed from a 2012 project approved by FMBN for low-income housing under the National Housing Fund Scheme.
An affidavit filed by ICPC officer Iliya Marcus detailed intelligence prompting a probe. FMBN secured a $65 million loan from Ecobank, disbursed over N3.785 billion to developer Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited without regulatory preconditions like Real Estate Developers Association registration.
Investigators found no prospect was made despite full payment, equivalent to about N14 billion then. The firm allegedly planned to sell the land to unsuspecting buyers, risking permanent loss of public assets.
On July 9, Justice Umar granted interim forfeiture ex parte, securing the sites and mandating public notice for claims.
ICPC counsel noted the project honoured former President Goodluck Jonathan, but promoters including some American nationals fled, leaving the now N200 billion-valued land idle. Good Earth Power faced a separate trial, as the forfeiture protects FMBN and Nigerians.