Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Goodluck Jonathan Estate Land in Abuja

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of a multi-billion naira expanse of land originally approved for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate, following findings that the property was linked to alleged unlawful activities, with the assets now vested in the Federal Government.

Justice Mohammed Umar granted the order after an application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which was moved by its counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, and not opposed by defence counsel, Hassan Liman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The judge directed the ICPC, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, to supervise the completion of the proposed 962 housing units on the forfeited land, in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), which was identified as the sole respondent and the victim of the alleged unlawful activity.

Justice Umar further ordered that the completed housing units be allocated strictly to end users, emphasising that the forfeiture was intended to recover public assets and ensure they are deployed for their original purpose of providing affordable housing for Nigerians.

In his ruling, the judge ordered the final forfeiture of Plot No. 5 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja, measuring approximately 122,015.80 square metres and valued at N1.94 billion, as well as Plot No. 4 in the same district, measuring about 157,198.30 square metres and valued at N3.34 billion.

“An order is hereby made for the final forfeiture of the said plots of land to the Federal Government, being properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity,” Justice Umar ruled.

“An order is also made directing the ICPC to facilitate the handover of the forfeited properties to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, being the victim of the alleged unlawful activity,” he added.

The court also directed the ICPC and the FMBN to set up a joint committee to oversee the completion of the stalled housing project, which investigations revealed was initiated during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan but allegedly received full project funding without any housing units being constructed.