FCDA staff arraigned over alleged illegal sale of Abuja staff houses

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two staff members of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Folashade Oketope and Mohammed Kabir Usman, over the alleged illegal sale of four Federal Capital Territory (FCT) staff houses in Abuja.

The defendants were arraigned on Monday before Justice B.M. Bassi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, Abuja, on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and corruption.

According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired between 2024 and 2025 to unlawfully sell FCT staff houses numbered 3, 4, 7 and 8 on Plot 756, Abubakar Usman Crescent, Jabi District, Abuja, despite being entrusted with their management.

The anti-graft agency further alleged that the defendants corruptly received N5 million and N4 million respectively from one Anthony Ezekwugo as inducement to facilitate the sale of the government-owned properties.

The alleged offences are said to contravene Sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation 2004, as well as Section 8(a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following their plea, prosecution counsel, F.S. Mohammed, prayed the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending the determination of the case. Defence counsel, L. Ojinma,, however, urged the court to admit them to bail.

In his ruling, Justice Bassi granted each defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with one reliable surety resident within the Federal Capital Territory.

The court held that the sureties must provide evidence of ownership of landed property within the FCT, depose to an affidavit of means and submit recent passport photographs.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the judge ordered that Oketope be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while Usman was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until October 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.