A civil society group, Abuja Vigilance Forum, has raised concerns over the role of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in an ongoing land dispute involving a completed family house in Guzape, Abuja.
In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja and signed by its chairman Ephraim Madaki and Secretary, Comrade Bob Destiny, the group alleged that the Commission’s actions may have been used to facilitate what it described as a “property grab plot” targeting 80-year-old Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac and her home at Plot 4022, Guzape.
The statement names Colleen Mero Yesufu, Richard John Idakwogi of Rychado Homes Ltd, Kabiru Yaro, Abdulrahman Yesufu and Samuel I. Chime, among others.
The group claimed that the EFCC’s forfeiture process sought an order to forfeit the disputed properties “for the benefit of Colleen Mero Yesufu.”
It argued that Colleen Mero Yesufu is not the Federal Government that the EFCC is mandated to serve, but a private claimant in an unresolved civil ownership dispute.
“Why are the coercive powers of the EFCC being deployed to obtain possession for the benefit of one private litigant before a civil court determines the genuine owner?” the statement queried.
The group is demanding an investigation into whether the named persons, including officials or intermediaries, stood to benefit from the house, its value, compensation, commission or proceeds after Rebecca’s removal.
According to the statement, Richard John Idakwogi of Rychado Homes Ltd identified the property, supplied documents, delivered possession and received ₦110 million from Rebecca.
Rebecca also paid an additional ₦12 million for economic trees and land clearing before constructing the residence and moving in with her family.
The group said the matter “is not a dispute over vacant land, but an alleged attempt to take over a completed, occupied family home financed by Rebecca.”
The group also expressed concerns over what it described as a contradiction in the EFCC’s prosecution.
It noted that Count Seven of the EFCC charge alleges that Richard John Idakwogi fraudulently represented that he was entitled to sell Plot 4022 and thereby induced Rebecca to pay ₦110 million.
That, the group argued, positions Rebecca as the alleged victim. Yet she is being prosecuted alongside Idakwogi.
“If Richard John Idakwogi allegedly defrauded Rebecca, why is Rebecca being treated as his conspirator rather than the alleged victim?” the statement asked.
According to the group, both ownership chains reportedly trace back to Amina Musa Usman, described as the original allottee. It said an earlier ICPC investigation initiated by Colleen Mero Yesufu could not establish her existence.
The group is calling on Colleen Mero Yesufu and Kabiru Yaro to produce original title documents, proof of payment, and complete transaction history.
The statement also referenced reports by HEDA and the media regarding the dismissal of Samuel Chime and others after an internal panel allegedly found them culpable of receiving bribes to sabotage cases. It demanded clarity on Chime’s role in the matter.
The group is calling for an independent investigation into allegations of fraud, conspiracy, competing documents, abuse of office and attempts to pervert justice.
“Rebecca paid for the property. Rebecca built the house. Rebecca occupied it with her family. She must not remain prosecuted while an alleged plan to seize her home for private benefit escapes scrutiny,” the statement concluded.
The EFCC is yet to publicly respond to the concerns raised in the statement.