The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Folashade Oketope and Mohammed Kabir Usman, over alleged property fraud involving the illegal sale of four government-owned staff houses in Abuja.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and corruption.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly sold four Federal Capital Territory staff houses located at Plot 756, Abubakar Usman Crescent, Jabi District, to private individuals between 2024 and 2025.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that Oketope and Usman received N5 million and N4 million respectively from Anthony Ezekwugo to facilitate the sale of the properties.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel, F.S. Mohammed, asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendants, while defence counsel, L. Ojinma, applied for bail.
Justice Bassi granted each defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety resident in the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge directed that the sureties must provide evidence of ownership of landed property in the FCT, swear to an affidavit of means and submit recent passport photographs.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Oketope be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while Usman was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned until October 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
