A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent takeover of large parcels of land earlier approved for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate by the Federal Government after a case brought by the anti-corruption agency.
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The ruling was delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar following an application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which was not challenged in court. The lands are located in the Kaba District of Abuja and were originally meant for a housing project for Nigerians.
The court directed that the forfeited lands be handed to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and that construction of the planned 962 housing units be completed under close supervision. The judge said the project must be carried through to ensure the houses reach intended beneficiaries.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
The decision followed findings that huge funds released for the estate years ago did not result in any completed buildings. Investigations showed that the developer allegedly received the full project funds without visible work on the site.
The ICPC told the court that the land and funds were at risk of being diverted or sold off, which could deny Nigerians the housing benefits tied to the project. The agency also raised concerns about the disappearance of key figures linked to the development company.
Justice Umar ordered both the ICPC and the Federal Mortgage Bank to form a joint committee to oversee the project until completion, saying the assets must now serve public interest and not private gain.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
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