FCTA Creates New Dept. To Investigate, Prosecute Land Fraudsters, Others

By: Prudence Okonna

As part of measures to strengthen law enforcement and compliance in service delivery, the Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee (FCT EXCO) has approved the establishment of a new Department of Investigation and Prosecution to be situated in the Legal Services Secretariat.

The creation of the new Department is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Communication, FCT, Muhammad Hazat Sule.

The statement stated that the FCT -EXCO approved the establishment of the new Department during its 18th meeting held Monday, at the FCTA Banquet Hall, Gwarinpa I District (Life-Camp), Abuja.

According to the statement, EXCO stated that the new Department is expected to carry out investigations in respect of forgery of Land documents, fraudulent transactions on Land, abuse of office, allegations of bribery, general corrupt practices, security breaches, and other cases of infractions within the FCTA as the need arises in liaison with relevant Law Enforcement Agencies.

The statement reads thus: “Department is to carry out investigations of petitions / request from individuals, groups of persons, corporate bodies, Law Enforcement Agencies among others”.

According to EXCO, the Department is to keep records and data of investigated cases and monitor those still under investigation by Law Enforcement and Security Agencies in the FCTA.

It is also expected to assist and advise the Law Enforcement and Security Agencies in their investigations on matters affecting the FCTA as well as carry out the training of personnel of the Department in conjunction with the various Law Enforcement and Security Agencies.

The EXCO, therefore, directed the new Department to initiate criminal and quasi-criminal proceedings on all matters affecting the FCT Administration after the consent /fiat of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation has been sought and obtained.

The FCT EXCO meeting, which was presided over by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, was attended by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Chief of Staff to the Hon. Minister, Mandate Secretaries, some SSA and Directors of the FCTA.