An Abuja High Court has sentenced a staff member of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Kinsley Eselebor, to 25 years’ imprisonment for defrauding a land buyer through forged documents involving two plots of land in Kubwa, Abuja.
Justice A.O. Musa of the FCT High Court delivered the judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after finding Eselebor guilty on all five counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court imposed seven-year jail terms on each of the first three counts and two years each on the remaining two counts. The sentences are to run concurrently, without an option of fine.
The EFCC told the court that Eselebor, who worked in the FCDA’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, obtained money from one Moses Osinachi under the pretence of selling him two genuine plots of land, identified as Plots 383 and 424, in Kubwa District Central Annex, Abuja.
However, investigations and evidence presented during the trial established that Eselebor had no valid title to the properties and lacked the authority to sell them.
The prosecution disclosed that Osinachi and Eselebor were neighbours and worshipped at the same church, while Eselebor’s employment with the FCDA further strengthened the buyer’s confidence in the transaction.
The court heard that Eselebor used two conveyance documents bearing the names Yusuf Lawan and Adegoke Asiwaju to convince the buyer that the properties were genuine.
Following assurances about the authenticity of the documents, Osinachi transferred the purchase money through his company, Moscow International Services Limited.
The fraudulent transaction was uncovered when Osinachi attempted to take possession of the properties and discovered that Eselebor had no valid title to transfer.
Eselebor reportedly acknowledged that the plots were subject to competing claims and promised to provide alternative plots, but failed to fulfil the promise.
After repeated efforts to recover his money proved unsuccessful, Osinachi petitioned the EFCC, which investigated the allegations and subsequently prosecuted the FCDA staff member.
The case was initially instituted in March 2021 on three counts of obtaining money under false pretences. The charge was later amended to five counts, incorporating allegations relating to the use of forged documents as genuine.
Reacting to the judgment, EFCC Director of Criminal Litigation and prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi, described the conviction as a significant warning against land racketeering and the use of forged documents to defraud unsuspecting property buyers.
Saidi expressed concern that Eselebor allegedly exploited the trust associated with his position as a public official to facilitate the fraudulent transaction.
The conviction underscores the dangers of land fraud in the Federal Capital Territory and the need for prospective property buyers to independently verify ownership, title documents and the legal status of land before making payments.
