The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced Kinsley Eselebor, a staff member of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), to 25 years imprisonment for land racketeering. Eselebor was found guilty on all five counts of charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment each on counts one, two, and three, and two years each on counts four and five, with all sentences to run concurrently and without an option of fine.
According to the EFCC, Eselebor defrauded Moses Osinachi after using fake documents to sell two plots of land at Kubwa District Central Annex, Abuja. The properties, identified as Plots 383 and 424, were presented to the petitioner as genuine, despite Eselebor's lack of title to sell them. The charge was initially filed in March 2021 with three counts of obtaining money under false pretences.
The charge was later amended to five counts, with counts one to three relating to obtaining money under false pretences and counts four and five concerning the use of forged documents as genuine to convince the petitioner of the authenticity of the land. Eselebor, an employee of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning in the FCDA, was said to have used his position to carry out the fraudulent activities.
The evidence presented before the court revealed that the petitioner and Eselebor were neighbours and worshipped in the same church. Their relationship, coupled with Eselebor's position as an FCDA staff member, reportedly made it easy for him to gain the petitioner's trust. The court found that Eselebor had indeed used forged documents to defraud the petitioner.
Justice A.O. Musa, who delivered the judgment, found Eselebor guilty on all counts and sentenced him accordingly. The sentence is a significant blow to corrupt practices in the FCDA and demonstrates the government's efforts to tackle corruption in the country. The case also highlights the need for due diligence when engaging in land transactions.
The EFCC's successful prosecution of Eselebor is a testament to its commitment to fighting corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria. The commission has been working to bring perpetrators of economic crimes to justice, and this case demonstrates its resolve to tackle corrupt practices in various sectors, including the real estate industry.
The case serves as a warning to individuals and officials who engage in corrupt practices, particularly in the land sector. It also underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of land documents and titles before engaging in transactions. The FCDA has been working to sanitize its operations and prevent corrupt practices, and this case is a step in the right direction.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Kinsley Eselebor, a staff member of the FCDA, to 25 years imprisonment for land racketeering.
- Eselebor was found guilty on all five counts of charges brought against him by the EFCC, including obtaining money under false pretences and using forged documents.
- The case highlights the need for due diligence when engaging in land transactions and the importance of verifying the authenticity of land documents and titles.
