The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced a staff member of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Kinsley Eselebor, to 25 years in prison for obtaining money under false pretences and using forged documents to defraud a land buyer.
Justice A.O. Musa delivered the judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after finding Eselebor guilty on all five counts filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The court imposed seven years each on counts one to 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, who worked in the FCDA’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, defrauded Moses Osinachi of money paid for two plots, identified as Plots 383 and 424, in Kubwa District Central Annex, Abuja. Eselebor allegedly presented the properties as genuine despite having no valid title to sell them.
According to evidence before the court, Osinachi and Eselebor were neighbours and worshipped at the same church. Their relationship, coupled with Eselebor’s position at the FCDA, reportedly gave the buyer confidence in the transaction.
The court heard that Eselebor used two conveyance documents bearing the names Yusuf Lawan and Adegoke Asiwaju to convince Osinachi that the plots were legitimate. After seeking further confirmation, Osinachi relied on Eselebor’s assurances and transferred money from his company, Moscow International Services Limited, to pay for the properties.
The fraud came to light when Osinachi attempted to take possession of the land and discovered that Eselebor had no valid title to transfer. When confronted, Eselebor reportedly admitted knowing that the properties had rival claimants and promised to provide alternative plots, but failed to fulfil the promise.
Osinachi subsequently demanded a refund, but the matter remained unresolved as Eselebor’s explanations reportedly changed. The buyer then petitioned the EFCC, which investigated the allegations and prosecuted the case. The charge, initially filed in March 2021 with three counts, was later amended to five to include offences relating to the use of forged documents.
Reacting to the judgment, the EFCC’s Director of Criminal Litigation and prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi, said the conviction should deter land racketeering and the use of fake documents to defraud property buyers. He expressed concern that Eselebor’s position as an FCDA employee had allegedly been used to gain the victim’s trust.
Saidi said the judgment underscored the need to protect public confidence in land transactions, particularly where government employees are accused of using their official positions to facilitate fraud. He added that the conviction demonstrated the consequences of defrauding unsuspecting buyers.
