Abuja – June 4, 2025
The Director of Investigations and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Joseph Eriki, has denied claims that he is avoiding justice in an ongoing land fraud case.
Mr. Eriki, represented by his lawyer Elaigwu Apeh, appeared in an Abuja High Court in Garki on Wednesday. His legal team said he is not hiding from the law and has already filed the necessary court applications.
The court had earlier issued a bench warrant for Eriki’s arrest after he failed to appear for a hearing related to a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government.
According to the charges, Eriki and others allegedly conspired to defraud a company—Etha Ventures Limited of several plots of land in the Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja. The alleged fraud reportedly occurred between 2019 and 2024 and involved the use of forged land documents.
The prosecution asked the court to issue the arrest warrant under Section 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to ensure Eriki’s appearance.
Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Eriki’s lawyer said they had filed two applications: one asking the court to cancel the arrest warrant, and another requesting a pause in proceedings until proper court procedures are followed.
“The court has now directed that all defendants must appear on the next court date, which is June 23,” Apeh said. “We are not running from justice. We just want the process to be fair.”
