Two realtors were arraigned on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over an alleged N577 million land fraud.
The realtors, Chief Executive Officer of Homadil Realty Ltd, Dr Rebecca Godwin-Isaac, and CEO of Rychado Homes Limited, Idakwogi John, were arraigned alongside their companies on 17 counts of criminal conspiracy and forgery, brought against them by the Federal Government.
They were accused of conspiring to fraudulently obtain money under false pretences and using fake documents for Plots 1861, 1862, and 1863 in Cadastral Zone B07, Katampe District, Abuja. The EFCC alleged that the duo used these documents to induce unsuspecting individuals into paying for the acquisition of the said properties.
According to the EFCC, their actions contravened Section 8(a) and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/76/2025, Godwin-Isaac, also known as Bilkisu Ishaku Aliyu, Homadil Realty Ltd, Idakwogi Richard John, and Rychado Homes Limited were listed as the first to fourth defendants, respectively.
One of the charges read: “That you, Godwin-Isaac Rebecca Omokamo (a.k.a. Bilkisu Ishaku Aliyu) and Homadil Realty Limited, sometime in August 2023, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N62,000,000 from Abu Abubakar Gombo by falsely representing that you had genuine title and ownership over Plot 1862, Cadastral Zone B07, Katampe District, Abuja, and fraudulently induced him to make payment for the acquisition of a portion of the said property, knowing that the representations were false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Similar charges were brought against the defendants for amounts totalling over N500 million, including allegations of money laundering contrary to Section 15(1)(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all 17 counts. Following their plea, EFCC counsel Samuel Chime requested a trial date, informing the court that witnesses were ready to testify.
Counsel for the defendants, Christopher Oshomegie (SAN) and M.A. Ebute (SAN) moved separate bail applications, urging the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms. The prosecution did not oppose the applications but called for an expedited trial.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the defendants bail of N10 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must own property in Abuja and be Federal Civil Servants of at least Level 16, providing evidence of salaries for the last three months and affidavits of means. Additionally, the first and third defendants were ordered to deposit their international passports with the court.
Pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions, the first defendant was remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while the third defendant was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned until 21 July for trial.
In a related case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/2025, the EFCC arraigned Godwin-Isaac alongside her husband, Isaac Yusuf Ishaku, Homadil Realty Ltd, and Idakwogi Richard John on a five-count charge of conspiracy and fraud. They were accused of fraudulently acquiring Plot 4022, Guzape District, Abuja, and selling it for N70 million using forged documents.
The defendants also pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Christopher Oshomegie requested that the second defendant, Isaac Yusuf Ishaku, remain in his custody to care for their young children, a request Justice Abdulmalik granted. The defendants remain on bail, and the case was also adjourned to July 21 for trial.
https://punchng.com/efcc-arraigns-developer-husband-over-n500m-abuja-land-fraud