ICPC Hands Over Forfeited Goodluck Jonathan Estate Land in Abuja to Nigerian Government

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has officially transferred forfeited landed properties in Kaba District, Abuja, to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria following a final forfeiture order issued by the Federal High Court.

The handover took place on Tuesday at the Goodluck Jonathan Estate site in Kaba District and was witnessed by the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMBN, Shehu Usman Osidi, and senior officials from both institutions.

Speaking during the event, Aliyu described the transfer as a major milestone in Nigeria’s asset recovery and restitution efforts, stressing that recovered public assets must be returned to productive public use for the benefit of citizens.

He explained that the forfeited land formed part of a housing project initiated by FMBN in 2012 and financed through a $65 million loan obtained by Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited in partnership with an American company. The project was designed to deliver 962 housing units on about 27.92 hectares of land in Kaba District.

According to the ICPC chairman, investigations revealed that the loan was completely diverted, with no houses constructed despite the release of the funds. He added that part of the money was allegedly moved through Bureau de Change operators and transferred abroad.

Aliyu said the commission subsequently instituted civil and criminal proceedings over the matter. While the civil case has been concluded, the criminal trial remains pending.

He disclosed that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice M. G. Umar, on December 11, 2025, ordered the final forfeiture of two plots in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, measuring approximately 122,015.80 square metres and 157,198.30 square metres.

The court also directed the ICPC to transfer the recovered properties to FMBN as the victim of the alleged fraud and mandated both institutions to jointly supervise the completion of the 962 housing units for allocation to eligible beneficiaries.

Aliyu assured that the ICPC would immediately nominate representatives to serve on the joint supervisory committee, emphasising that transparency and accountability would guide the project.

FMBN Managing Director, Shehu Usman Osidi, commended the ICPC for securing the recovery of the property, describing the transfer as a significant step toward protecting public assets and reviving a long-abandoned housing development for the benefit of Nigerians.