ICPC arraigns FCTA director over ‘forgery’ of land titles

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Adamu Hussaini, a director with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), over alleged forgery of land title documents.

Hussaini, a director of lands at the FCTA, was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on forgery, contrary to section 362 and punishable under section 363 of the Penal Code.

The anti-corruption agency alleged that Hussaini, on or about June 5, 2023, forged the signature of Mainasara Garba Babayo, a former director of land administration at the FCTA, on three statutory rights of occupancy said to have been issued to Etha Ventures Limited.

The properties involved are Plot 3128, Plot 3129 and Plot 1204, all located in Cadastral Zone E07, Lugbe central, Abuja.

According to the ICPC, investigations were triggered by intelligence and a petition from members of the public alleging fraudulent allocation and reallocation of lands by some officials of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The commission said Babayo served as director of land administration between 2011 and August 2016, before his redeployment, while Hussaini was appointed to the position in 2016.

The ICPC said Hussaini allegedly issued land title documents dated June 5, 2023, bearing Babayo’s name as signatory.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Adamu Jubrin Hussaini (M), Director of Lands, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja, on the 5th June, 2023, or thereabouts, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, forged the signature of Mainasara Garba Babayo, the former Director of Land Administration, FCTA, on a Statutory Right of Occupancy dated 5th June, 2023, over Plot 3128 in Cadastral Zone E07, Lugbe Central, Abuja, in favour of Etha Ventures Limited.”

Hussaini pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following his plea, Golden Iwuagu, counsel to the ICPC, asked the court for a trial date.

Husseini Baba-Yusuf, the presiding judge, adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, for further proceedings.

Baba-Yusuf granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.

“The surety must be a deputy director, serving or retired, with landed property covered by a certificate of occupancy within AMAC, and the C of O must be deposited with the registrar of the court,” the judge ruled.

The court ordered that Hussaini be remanded at the Kuje correctional centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.