Human rights group urges land fraud victims to speak out, seek justice

…Promises legal assistance

A human rights group, the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), has urged alleged victims of land fraud in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to come forward with their complaints, promising to assist them in seeking justice.

The group made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during a press conference on alleged land disputes involving properties in Katampe, Guzape and Kado districts. It urged affected individuals to report their experiences to the appropriate authorities.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Dr Maxwell Opara called for greater accountability in the handling of land-related complaints and urged law enforcement agencies to investigate allegations of irregularities in property transactions and land records.

INAHURAT cited disputes involving Plot 387 in Guzape and Plot 282 in Kado, alleging that questions had arisen over corporate ownership records, property titles and the handling of documents relating to the disputed properties.

The organisation also raised concerns about the alleged roles of some legal practitioners and security personnel in the cases, calling on the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate complaints of alleged interference with inquiries and address any established wrongdoing through lawful procedures.

“If you have been a victim of land grabbing, corporate identity theft, or title manipulation in Abuja, and your complaints or petitions were suppressed, ignored, or frustrated, contact INAHURAT or Dr. Maxwell Opara immediately”, Opara stated.

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The group also urged the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to investigate allegations concerning the issuance of a second passport to a woman whose travel documents were reportedly subject to a bail-related restriction in pending criminal cases.

It called on the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged issuance of the travel document and determine whether any immigration rules had been breached.

“Unless the NIS takes decisive prosecutorial action, it sends a dangerous signal that any criminal suspect under trial whose passport is seized by courts or the EFCC can simply walk into an NIS office or portal online, declare their passport ‘lost,’ and secure a new document to evade justice.

“We demand full administrative accountability and prosecution ahead of the trial resuming this October 2026”, Maxwell stated.

INAHURAT further disclosed that a petition had been submitted to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against some legal practitioners over alleged professional misconduct connected with the land disputes.

According to the organisation, the petition concerns allegations relating to court filings, corporate records and the conduct of legal proceedings.

The group urged the authorities to handle the complaints transparently, stressing that property ownership disputes should be resolved through credible investigations and due process rather than intimidation or prolonged litigation.

It also appealed to civil society organisations and the media to pay attention to complaints from people who believe they have been victims of land-related fraud, particularly where they allege that previous petitions were not adequately addressed.

The organisation encouraged affected residents to preserve relevant documents, including title papers, transaction records, correspondence and copies of petitions, and submit their complaints to the appropriate law enforcement or land administration authorities.

It said the appeal was intended to encourage alleged victims to seek lawful remedies and ensure that their complaints were properly documented and investigated.

INAHURAT urged anyone with relevant information to cooperate with the authorities, emphasising the need to protect complainants’ rights and ensure that allegations were tested through established legal processes.

The organisation also commended what it described as dedicated officers within the EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force who had stood against systemic corruption. However, it condemned alleged corrupt practices by elements within security agencies, including the alleged concealment of investigations, intimidation of whistleblowers and victimisation of officers who resist wrongdoing.