A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of two large parcels of land originally designated for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate, following findings that the properties were linked to suspected unlawful activity.

Justice Mohammed Umar gave the ruling while considering a motion filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. The application, moved by ICPC counsel Osuobeni Akponimisingha, was granted without objection from the defence, led by Hassan Liman (SAN).

The forfeited properties are located in the Kaba District of Abuja and consist of Plot No. 5, measuring about 122,015 square metres and valued at N1.94bn, and Plot No. 4, covering roughly 157,198 square metres with an estimated value of N3.34bn. Together, the lands were intended to host a 962-unit housing estate under the National Housing Fund Scheme.

In his ruling, Justice Umar directed the ICPC, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, to supervise the completion of the housing project in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, the sole respondent in the case. He stressed that the houses must ultimately be allocated to their intended beneficiaries, particularly low-income Nigerians.

The judge further ordered the ICPC to formally hand over the forfeited lands to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and mandated both institutions to set up a joint committee to oversee the completion and implementation of the project.

Court documents revealed that the land had been allocated by the Federal Capital Territory Administration in 2012 for the construction of affordable housing. The project was financed through a $65m loan facility obtained from Ecobank and was expected to be completed within 18 months. However, investigations showed that the entire project sum was allegedly disbursed to the developer, Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited, without any meaningful construction taking place.

The ICPC told the court that despite full payment, not a single housing unit was built, raising concerns over mismanagement and abuse of public funds. The commission also alleged that there were attempts to sell the land to unsuspecting members of the public, a move that could have complicated recovery efforts.

Justice Umar noted that the case highlights the need to protect public assets and ensure that government-backed projects genuinely serve the people they are meant to benefit. With the final forfeiture now ordered, the court said the focus must shift to completing the housing estate and restoring public confidence in social housing programmes.