The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned two officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority over the alleged illegal sale of four Federal Capital Territory staff houses in Abuja.
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The defendants, Folashade Oketope and Mohammed Kabir Usman, were arraigned before Justice B.M. Bassi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, July 13, 2026.
They are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and corruption arising from the alleged fraudulent disposal of government-owned residential properties.
According to the EFCC, the defendants were entrusted with the management of FCT staff houses but allegedly sold four of the properties to private individuals without lawful authority.
The affected properties were identified as Houses 3, 4, 7 and 8, located on Plot 756, Abubakar Usman Crescent, Jabi District, Abuja.
In one of the counts, the commission alleged that between 2024 and 2025, Oketope and Usman dishonestly misappropriated or converted the properties to their own use by unlawfully selling them to private individuals.
The charge reads: “That you, Folashade Oketope and Mohammed Kabir Usman, between 2024 and 2025 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being entrusted with dominion over the Federal Capital Territory staff houses with House Numbers 3, 4, 7 and 8 of Plot 756, Abubakar Usman Crescent, Jabi District, Abuja, dishonestly misappropriated or converted to your own use by unlawfully selling them to private individuals.”
The EFCC said the alleged offence contravened Section 311 of the Penal Code Act and was punishable under Section 312 of the same law.
The anti-graft agency also accused the defendants of receiving a combined sum of ₦9 million as gratification to facilitate the sale of the properties.
According to the third count, Oketope allegedly received ₦5 million, while Usman allegedly received ₦4 million from one Anthony Ezekwugo as an inducement or reward for facilitating the transactions.
The commission alleged that their conduct violated Section 8(a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and was punishable under Section 8(ii) of the same Act.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Following their pleas, EFCC counsel F.S. Mohammed asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending the determination of the case.
Defence counsel L. Ojinma, however, urged the court to admit them to bail.
Justice Bassi granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦10 million with one reliable surety.
The court directed that each surety must reside within the Federal Capital Territory and provide evidence of ownership of landed property in Abuja.
The sureties are also required to depose to affidavits of means and submit recent passport photographs.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the judge ordered that Oketope, the first defendant, be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while Usman, the second defendant, be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned until October 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
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