By HARUNA AHMED, Kaduna –
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Alhassan Garba, a suspected serial land racketeer, for his alleged involvement in multiple fraudulent land deals across Kaduna.
The arrest marks a significant step in curbing land-related scams in the region.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale announced the arrest in a statement released on Friday in Abuja. “Garba, who poses as an estate agent, has left a trail of devastated victims through his deceitful schemes,” Oyewale said, highlighting the suspect’s pattern of preying on unsuspecting buyers.
In one case, Garba allegedly sold a plot of land for N14.5 million, only for the buyer to discover the title documents were forged and the land belonged to someone else.
“Investigations revealed that the victim transferred N900,000 directly to Garba and N8.8 million to a company account he provided through UBA,” Oyewale disclosed.
Another incident involved Garba and his accomplices in October 2020, when they offered a plot in Tsaunin Kura G.R.A, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, falsely claiming it belonged to one Muhammed Khalid.
The victim paid N7.8 million in installments to Khalid’s Zenith Bank account and an additional N198,000 in cash to Garba.
“The victim later found out the land was not theirs, despite receiving an Offer of Grant and a Deed signed by Khalid and witnessed by one Imam,” Oyewale explained.
Further investigations uncovered additional frauds.
On January 23, 2023, a case reported to the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Directorate revealed that Garba and five others allegedly sold plots worth N32 million using fake title documents in March 2018.
In another scheme in 2022, Garba and two accomplices sold a plot on Yusuf Hamisu Road, Mahuta Igabi L.G.A, for N2 million, only for the buyer to learn the property did not belong to them.
Oyewale noted Garba’s attempt to evade justice:
“He previously jumped the Commission’s administrative bail but was tracked down and rearrested on August 12 in his hideout in Kabala Costain, Maiduguri Road, Kaduna.”
The EFCC said it plans to arraign Garba in court once investigations into his cases are finalized, signaling a stern warning to others engaged in similar fraudulent activities.
