JONATHAN LEGACY ESTATE LANDS FORFEITED TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN LANDMARK JUDGMENT

The Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a landmark ruling, ordering the permanent forfeiture of a valuable land asset designated for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the motion on notice filed by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The defence, led by Hassan Liman, SAN, did not oppose the application.
The plot affected — Plot No. 5 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja — measures approximately 122,015.80 m² and is valued at ₦1,944,375,000.00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred Forty-Four Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Naira).
In granting the order, Justice Umar emphasized that the forfeiture is final and permanent. The ICPC, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, has been directed to supervise the construction of the 962 housing units originally planned for the estate — ensuring that the project is completed and the homes are used for the intended beneficiaries.
The court further directed that the ICPC should carry out this supervision in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the sole respondent in the case, to guarantee proper utilization of the assets.
This ruling marks a significant step in holding previous administrations and project allocations accountable, while also prioritizing the intended public benefit of the housing units to Nigerian citizens.