By Remi Johnson
The Director of Investigations and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Joseph Eriki, has insisted that he is not running from justice in the alleged land fraud case currently before an Abuja High Court sitting in Garki.
Eriki, through his lead counsel, Elaigwu Apeh, made the position clear after appearing before Justice Suleiman Belgore on Wednesday.
He emphasized that necessary legal steps had been taken and that the defence team is prepared to face the charges.
“If you don’t follow the law, then that is the issue. However, as they say, we are not running from justice. We have good defence.”
A week earlier, the court had issued a bench warrant for Eriki’s arrest after he failed to appear to take his plea in the case.
He is the third defendant among 12 individuals and five companies accused by the Federal Government in connection with the matter.
Justice Belgore ordered the arrest of the FCTA official following an application by the prosecution, which is relying on Section 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, as a last resort to compel attendance for trial.
The defendants include Boniface Agwu, Ikechukwu Kanu, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, Surajo Aliyu, Ogbole Michael, and five firms: Super Structure Limited, Bonatec Electrical Company Limited, Weatherfield Engineering Marine Services Limited, and Asher Information Services Limited.
According to the Federal Government, the accused persons allegedly conspired between 2019 and 2024 to defraud Etha Ventures Limited of plots 461 to 470 and 486 to 496 at Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja, using forged land documents.
The offence is contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code Act, 2009, and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.
After the court session, defence counsel Apeh addressed journalists, saying:
“We made two applications. One, for staying the bench warrants, setting aside the bench warrants, and staying the proceedings pending when proper service or the process has been served.”
“In the wisdom of the court, there is a need for them to appear by the nurse’s agenda, which is 23 June. So, we will make an effort and we will also like those applications to be considered too.”
In a brief ruling, Justice Suleiman Belgore directed the defence counsel to ensure that the appropriate applications are properly filed before the next hearing, which has been scheduled for June 23, 2025.