Eriki, named as the third defendant, and Agwu, the first defendant, are facing a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The police have arrested Mr. Joseph Eriki, Director of Investigation and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), alongside one Boniface Agwu, in connection with a high-profile forgery case.
Eriki, named as the third defendant, and Agwu, the first defendant, are facing a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The charges, contained in suit number FCT/HC/CR/87/2025, include alleged criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, and forgery.
The case is being heard before Justice Suleman Belgore of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Garki, Abuja.
On May 27, Justice Belgore issued a bench warrant against all the defendants for failing to appear in court for their arraignment.
A bench warrant was issued after the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that all efforts to secure the defendants’ appearance for arraignment had failed.
In addition to Joseph Eriki and Boniface Agwu, the warrant also applies to Ikechukwu Kanu; Donatec Electrical Company Limited; Super Structure Limited; Weatherfield Engineering; Marine Service Limited; Asher Information Services Limited; Prince Isaac Omoluwa; Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi; and Sarajo Aliyu, Ogbole Michael.
The defendants are accused of unlawfully trespassing on Plots 461–470 and 486–496, owned by Etha Ventures, and erecting structures there with the intent to defraud the company.
According to the prosecution, they allegedly secured a fraudulent consent judgment in case number FCT/HC/CV/240/2018, which granted Super Structure Limited ownership of Plot 1406 (covering Plots 461–470 and 486–496) in the Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja.
At the June 4 court session, following the issuance of the bench warrant, counsels C.S. Ekeocha and E.E. Apeh—representing the first, second, third, fifth, and ninth defendants—pledged to produce their clients in court for arraignment.
However, Justice Belgore reaffirmed the court’s earlier order for the defendants’ arrest, despite the lawyers’ assurances.
When the arraignment was postponed for the fourth time on Friday, 18 July, the judge adjourned the case to 30 October and once again emphasised standing arrest order issued in May.
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