FCTA To Demolish Church Over Alleged Forged Title Documents

The Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), is set to demolish Seed of Christ Golden Church in the Kubwa area of Abuja over the allegation of forgery of title documents for the land.

This followed a petition by Alhaji Musibau Lamidi, a real estate developer, to the office of the inspector-general of police that some persons have taken over his plot of land.

An investigation report by the Nigeria Police Force revealed that the church on plot MF 1335 located at extension iii B layout in Kubwa was sold to Dr S.M.O Mustapha popularly known as Baba Sebioba, the general overseer, with forged documents.

The police said the land agent, John Areh, now in detention, presented forged documents to Baba Sebioba who made payment for the land and constructed his church on the plot.

However, Alhaji Lamidi, who procured the plot in 2016 at the sum of N18 million from one Godwin Danladi Busa, a staff of the Bwari area council told the police that he traveled out of Abuja for some time, came back, and found a church on the plot.

During the investigation, specimens of documents by both Baba Sebioba and Lamidi were sent to the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) for verification which showed the irregularities.

Part of the report by the police said, “…the report from AGIS indicates that there were irregularities from the suspect’s document. The specimen sent from the AGIS is different from that of the suspect’s document, especially with regards to the date.

“The report from AGIS clearly revealed that the document presented by the suspect was forged and that the land was sold to Alhaji Musbau Lamidi by one Mr Godwin Danladu Busa, a staff of Bwari area council, Abuja.”

Police said they were able to establish a prima facie case of forgery and criminal trespass against Baba Sebioba and John Areh as AGIS confirmed that the documents were forged.

Areh, the police said could not present one surveyor Elias whom he claimed sold the land to him.

Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP learnt that officials at the FCDA are mobilising to pull down the church building after the police report proved that the land was acquired fraudulently by the owner.

One of the officials, who does not want to be named, said, “We are waiting for the final go ahead to demolish the church. John Areh is already in police custody and will be prosecuted for forgery and trespass.”