The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) an order to temporarily take over two expansive plots of land approved for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate.
The housing estate project, initiated in 2012 by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), was meant to provide low-income housing and was named in honour of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted ICPC’s ex parte application to freeze the land, valued at over N5 billion, pending the outcome of a substantive suit. The judge ordered that the interim forfeiture remain until further hearing.
According to court documents, the two plots are located in Kaba District, Abuja, with Plot No. 5 measuring approximately 122,015.80 square meters and valued at about N1.9 billion, and Plot No. 4 covering around 157,198.30 square meters valued at N3.34 billion.
ICPC’s investigation revealed that FMBN had entered a framework agreement with Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited in 2012 for the construction of 962 residential housing units under the National Housing Fund Scheme. The bank secured a $65 million loan from Ecobank for the project and disbursed over N3.7 billion as an initial drawdown.
However, the commission uncovered that despite the full disbursement of the loan, no houses had been constructed on the site. Furthermore, Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited allegedly lacked proper registration with the Real Estate Developers Association, a required condition for payment.
ICPC also reported that the developer, along with some associated foreign nationals, had reportedly fled and become unreachable, raising fears that the land might be unlawfully sold to unsuspecting members of the public.
In court, ICPC’s counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, urged the court to grant the order to secure the asset and protect public interest. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the land given the massive financial loss and absence of project progress.
Justice Umar questioned why the entire project sum was paid upfront despite no visible development and consequently ordered the temporary forfeiture. The matter was adjourned until October 27, 2025, for compliance reporting.
