EFCC Secures 25-Year Jail Term for FCDA Employee over Forged Land Documents
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of a Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) employee, Kinsley Eselebor, who was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for defrauding a land buyer in Abuja.
Eselebor was convicted by Justice A.O. Musa of the Federal Capital Territory High Court after being found guilty of five counts bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and using forged documents to deceive a prospective land buyer.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
The court imposed seven years’ imprisonment each on counts one, two and three, and two years each on counts four and five. The sentences are to run concurrently without an option of fine.
The EFCC established that Eselebor, an employee of the FCDA’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, collected money from Moses Osinachi for two plots of land at Kubwa District Central Annex, Abuja, despite having no valid title to sell the properties.
The plots, identified as Plots 383 and 424, were allegedly presented as genuine, with Eselebor using forged conveyance documents to support his claims.
The prosecution said the case was initially instituted in March 2021 with three counts of obtaining money under false pretences before being amended to five counts to include offences relating to the use of forged documents.
Evidence before the court showed that Osinachi and Eselebor were neighbours and attended the same church. Their relationship, coupled with Eselebor’s employment with the FCDA, reportedly influenced Osinachi’s decision to proceed with the purchase.
The convict allegedly presented conveyance documents bearing the names Yusuf Lawan and Adegoke Asiwaju to establish the purported authenticity of the properties.
When Osinachi sought further confirmation, Eselebor reportedly assured him that the documents were genuine, relying on his position within the government agency.
Convinced by the assurances, Osinachi transferred the purchase money from the account of his company, Moscow International Services Limited, to Eselebor.
However, the transaction unravelled when Osinachi attempted to take possession of the land and discovered that Eselebor had no valid title to the properties.
The prosecution further told the court that Eselebor acknowledged that the plots had rival claimants and promised to provide alternative land, but failed to honour the commitment.
After repeated attempts to recover his money proved unsuccessful, Osinachi petitioned the EFCC. The commission subsequently investigated the allegations and brought the case before the court.
Speaking after the judgment, EFCC Director of Criminal Litigation and prosecuting counsel, Joshua Saidi, said the conviction would serve as a deterrent to individuals who engage in land racketeering and defraud property buyers with fake documents.
Saidi questioned the abuse of public confidence by individuals who allegedly use their positions in government institutions to facilitate fraudulent transactions.
He warned that the involvement of public officials in such schemes could undermine trust in government agencies and expose unsuspecting Nigerians to financial losses.
The EFCC counsel described the judgment as a significant step in the fight against land fraud, stressing that those who use forged documents to deceive members of the public should face the consequences of their actions.
He also suggested that the case might have prevented further victims from falling prey to the convict’s alleged activities.
