Two staff members of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged illegal sale of four Federal Capital Territory staff houses in Abuja.
The anti-graft agency, in a statement, said its Abuja Zonal Directorate arraigned Folashade Oketope and Mohammed Kabir Usman before Justice B.M. Bassi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, on Monday, July 13, 2026.
The defendants are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and corruption linked to the alleged unlawful sale of four FCT staff houses located at Plot 756, Abubakar Usman Crescent, Jabi District, Abuja.
According to the EFCC, the pair allegedly misappropriated staff houses numbered 3, 4, 7 and 8 by selling them to private individuals between 2024 and 2025, despite being entrusted with their management.
The commission further alleged that Oketope and Usman corruptly received N5 million and N4 million respectively from Anthony Ezekwugo as inducement to facilitate the sale of the properties.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel F.S. Mohammed asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendants, while defence counsel L. Ojinma sought bail on their behalf.
Justice Bassi granted each defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with one reliable surety. The court ruled that the sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, own landed property in the FCT, depose to an affidavit of means, and provide recent passport photographs.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Oketope be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while Usman was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned until October 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The EFCC disclosed the development in a statement issued after the court proceedings.
