Alleged Forgery: Court Remands Female Estate Developer As AGF Takes Over Prosecution
A fresh test of Nigeria’s commitment to sanitising the real estate sector unfolded on Wednesday as a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of estate developer, Miss Uzoamaka Onukwubiri, over allegations of forgery and obtaining property under false pretence.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has now taken over the prosecution, signalling the gravity the Federal Government attaches to the case.
Justice Musa Liman remanded the Managing Director of Sow Real Estate Nigeria Ltd at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending his ruling on her bail application, which is fixed for 1 December 2025.
Onukwubiri was arraigned on a nine-count charge related to conspiracy, forgery, fraudulent use of documents, and obtaining land by false pretences.
The alleged offences contravene provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, the Penal Code Act, and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.
She pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Prosecution counsel, Ndidi Gladys Okoha of the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP), told the court that the defendant’s actions involved forging a Joint Venture Agreement and its addendum, purportedly executed between Sow Real Estate and Ideal Grace Consulting Ltd, in respect of 3 hectares of land at Plot 3173, Katampe Extension, Abuja.
Okoha opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendant was likely to jump bail and interfere with witnesses, relying on a counter-affidavit filed by the DPP.
Defence counsel, Joel Okoli, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the offences were bailable and that the defendant had been on administrative bail before arraignment.
After listening to both sides, the judge deferred his ruling and ordered her remand.
Speaking after the proceedings, Jerry Edemeka, counsel holding a watching brief for the nominal complainant, Ideal Grace Consulting Ltd, expressed satisfaction with the court’s handling of the matter.
According to court filings, Ideal Grace had engaged Onukwubiri in 2019 to provide infrastructure on three hectares within its 17.54-hectare allocation in Katampe Extension.
She later sought an additional three hectares as settlement under a second joint venture arrangement.
Investigators allege that the second agreement and its addendum were forged, with the signatures of Ideal Grace’s CEO inserted without consent, enabling Sow Real Estate to deal directly with subscribers.
Despite collecting various fees from off-takers, the company allegedly failed to deliver the agreed infrastructure, while also selling off the land and opening new estates.
Ideal Grace claims that substandard work, threats, intimidation, and obstruction followed attempts to reclaim the site, leading to severe financial losses and prolonged distress.
The matter continues on 1 December 2025.
Follow Savinews Africa on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n
