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Court Jails FCDA Official Eselebor 25 Years for Land Racketeering
Court Jails FCDA Official Eselebor 25 Years for Land Racketeering
Justice A.O. Musa of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced a staff member of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Kinsley Eselebor, to 25 years’ imprisonment for obtaining money under false pretences and using forged documents to defraud a land buyer.
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The judge delivered the judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after finding Eselebor guilty on all five counts charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The court sentenced the convict 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.
The prosecution established that Eselebor, an employee of the FCDA’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, defrauded Moses Osinachi of money paid for 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. It 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.
The court found Eselebor guilty on all five counts and imposed the respective prison terms, directing that they run concurrently because the offences arose from the same transaction.
However, the prison terms will run concurrently.
According to the evidence presented before the court, the petitioner and Eselebor were neighbours and worshipped in the Church. Their relationship, coupled with Eselebor’s position as an FCDA staff member, reportedly strengthened Osinachi’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 petitioner that the properties were genuine.
Osinachi, however, sought further confirmation of the authenticity of the plots, and Eselebor allegedly assured him that the documents were genuine, relying on his position within the FCDA. Based on these assurances, the petitioner transferred money from his company’s account, Moscow International Services Limited, to Eselebor for the purchase of the two plots.
The transaction later ran into difficulty when Osinachi attempted to take possession of the properties and discovered that Eselebor had no valid title to transfer to him. When confronted, Eselebor reportedly admitted that he knew the properties had rival claimants and promised to find alternative plots for the petitioner. The promise was not fulfilled.
Osinachi subsequently demanded a refund of his money, but the matter remained unresolved as the explanations given by Eselebor continued to change. Dissatisfied with the development, he petitioned the EFCC, which investigated the allegations and subsequently arraigned Eselebor.
Reacting to the judgment, the EFCC’s Director of Criminal Litigation and Prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi, described the conviction as a deterrent to individuals involved in land racketeering and the use of fake documents to defraud unsuspecting property buyers.
Saidi expressed concern that the convict’s position as an FCDA employee had allegedly been used to inspire confidence in the fraudulent transaction.
Woman Jailed For Forging NAFDAC Employment Letter
“This judgment has served as a deterrent to all these land racketeering, you know, these fraudsters, parading fake documents, defrauding unsuspecting victims. You understand? In this case, the defendant is a staff of FCDA. He paraded fake documents. And the court was also not happy with that attitude. Where is the trust? Yes, where is the trust? That means you are not safe, I’m not safe. You go to land, you want a genuine document, they give you all these fake papers, and at the end of the day, they scam you, they defraud you,” he said.
He questioned the implications of such conduct for public confidence, particularly when individuals employed by government institutions are accused of using their positions to facilitate fraudulent property transactions.
“So, it’s very nice, to me, it’s a judgment that will act as deterrence because there is no gain in fraud. And this man is a staff of FCDA. You can only imagine how many people he would have scammed, if not because of this case. He would have gone scot-free”, he said.
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Governor Eno Approves 13th Month Pension Bonus, N10,000 Welfare Support for Akwa Ibom Retirees
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, alongside a one-time welfare support of N10,000 for November 2026.
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The governor announced the approval on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Ibom Hall Ground, Uyo, during an event organised by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), where he received a Merit Award and was endorsed for re-election in 2027.
Governor Eno said the gesture was aimed at appreciating retired public servants for their years of dedicated and meritorious service to the state.
He commended the pensioners for their organisation, gratitude and continued engagement with his administration, assuring them that their welfare and that of other elderly citizens would remain a priority.
Describing the occasion as humbling, the governor said pensioners might have retired from active service but remained valuable members of society.
He subsequently directed that an additional N10,000 be included in the November 2026 pension payment of every retiree in the state.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare,” he stated.
The governor also encouraged pensioners to register for the state’s health insurance scheme, explaining that residents aged 65 and above were entitled to free access to the programme.
On the payment of outstanding gratuities, Eno disclosed that his administration had released over N100 billion out of the N111 billion inherited backlog accumulated since 2012.
He assured that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term in office.
Eno attributed the progress to improved financial resources available to state governments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, commending the President for making funds accessible to states.
He urged the pensioners to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that continued financial support from the Federal Government would help sustain the payment of pensions, gratuities and other welfare commitments.
The governor also appealed to pensioners, particularly those from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, to support the re-election of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Earlier, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Governor Eno for what he described as his compassion and commitment to the welfare of retired public servants in Akwa Ibom.
Abumisi praised the governor’s leadership and development initiatives, urging pensioners across the state to reciprocate his administration’s efforts by supporting his second-term ambition in 2027.
In his welcome address, the State Chairman of the NUP, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, described Eno as a compassionate leader whose administration had demonstrated unprecedented commitment to the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
Nkodo said the governor had consistently listened to the concerns of retired public servants through policies and programmes aimed at improving their living conditions.
He further maintained that the administration’s interventions had improved pensioners’ living standards and restored dignity to many retirees.
Umo Eno
The state NUP chairman also expressed appreciation for the release of over N100 billion towards the settlement of inherited gratuity arrears, praying for the governor’s success in securing a second term.
At the event, pensioners unanimously endorsed President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, Governor Eno and other APC candidates for re-election in 2027.
The endorsement followed a motion moved by Comrade James Inim and seconded by Dr Mrs Uduak Udoaka.
The gathering attracted a large number of pensioners, many of whom remained at the venue despite the rain to demonstrate their appreciation and support for the governor.
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Bauchi Police Arrest Two Over Oobbery, Recover Stolen Phones
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly attacking and robbing residents in separate incidents in Bauchi and Gamawa Local Government Areas of the state.
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The command also said it had recovered one of the stolen mobile phones, while efforts were ongoing to arrest a fleeing accomplice and recover the second phone.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
Habib said the first incident was reported on October 30 by a 23-year-old woman from Sabon Kaura, who alleged that an 18-year-old suspect, identified as Mustapha Mohammed, invaded her room at about 3:10 am, armed with a knife and a torchlight.
He said the suspect inflicted injuries on the victim’s left hand before making away with her Itel A80 mobile phone, valued at N120,000.
According to the PPRO, the suspect was subsequently trailed and arrested by police operatives.
“During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and claimed to have given the stolen phone to one Dan-Oga, whose real identity is yet unknown and currently at large.
“Effort is in top gear to recover the phone and arrest the receiver,” the statement added.
In a separate incident, the police arrested a 20-year-old herder, identified as Jingi Buba, over the alleged robbery of a 15-year-old girl in Kesa Village, Gamawa Local Government Area.
The police spokesperson said the incident occurred on October 29 when the victim and her friend, both 15 years old, went to their farm to cut grass.
He explained that while the teenagers were returning to collect the remaining grass, the suspect allegedly attacked one of them with a knife, threatened her and stole her Tecno A31 mobile phone, valued at N20,000.
“Upon receipt of the report, the suspect was trailed and arrested, while one Tecno A31 mobile phone was recovered as an exhibit by operatives of Gamawa Division,” Habib said.
He added that preliminary investigation had been concluded and the case transferred to the SCID, Bauchi, for further investigation.
Police
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the incidents and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
The CP also directed all Divisional Police Officers to intensify patrols and ensure that fleeing suspects were apprehended and brought to justice.
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Pastor Muoka Applauds Governor Eno’s Transformational Leadership in Akwa Ibom
The General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, has commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his transformational leadership and developmental strides across the state.
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Pastor Muoka gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to Governor Eno at Government House, Uyo, where he also formally invited the governor to the church’s two-day crusade scheduled for Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, 2026.
The cleric, who disclosed that he had visited Akwa Ibom State on three previous occasions, expressed excitement over the level of transformation and development he observed in the state.
He expressed gratitude to God for using Governor Eno to advance the development of Akwa Ibom, while praying for continued divine blessings, wisdom and strength for the governor to achieve more for the people.
“We are grateful to God for the way He is using you mightily for the development of the state,” Pastor Muoka said.
Responding, Governor Eno appreciated the General Overseer and his entourage for the visit and for choosing Akwa Ibom as the venue for the forthcoming crusade.
The governor also commended Pastor Muoka for his dedication to God’s vineyard and his commitment to spreading the Gospel, praying that God would continue to strengthen and use him for the propagation of Christianity in Nigeria and beyond.
Pastor Muoka
The General Overseer was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Pastor Mary Muoka; National Pastor, Azubuike Ogbonna; Akwa Ibom State Pastor, Okechukwu Cyprian; Pastor Daniel Effiong and other church officials.
Government officials present to receive the delegation included the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson; members of the State Executive Council and other government functionaries.
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