Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested Basil Iwoba Ochili, managing director of Debasilio Construction and Estate Development Limited, over alleged N128,000,000 land scam.

The commission, in a statement on Wednesday, said Mr Ochili was arrested for using the company for fraudulent activities, including obtaining the money by false pretence.

“Ochili was arrested based on claims of a petitioner alleging that sometime in September, 2022, he falsely presented himself as the owner of five plots of land situated beside Anambra State Secretariat by Stamford Hotel, Aroma junction, Awka, Anambra State, and falsely offered it for sale,” the anti-graft agency stated.

Noting that it relied on the suspect’s representation, the EFCC said the petitioner purchased the said plots in the sum of N128, 000, 000. paid into the suspect’s company account.  

The commission, however, noted that the petitioner was unable to take possession of the land.

The EFCC explained, “Preliminary investigations showed that the suspect knew that the said land encroached on Anambra State Government Secretariat’s land but went further to sell the same to the petitioner. Instead of refunding the petitioner’s money, the suspect offered him two dud cheques.”

According to the commission, further preliminary investigations showed that the suspect used part of the money to settle his debts and his company, Debasilio Construction and Estate Development Limited, had never been tax compliant.

The anti-graft agency noted that the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.