The Enugu State Government has taken a firm stance, presenting documented proof of its ownership over a high-value plot of land in Abuja's prestigious Wuye District. The government has accused a private firm, Simonis Ventures Nigeria Limited, of engaging in fraudulent activities to illegally claim the property.
Historical Records and a Critical Error
During a media briefing held in Abuja, the General Manager of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation, Dr. Gerald Asogwa, laid out the historical timeline. He revealed that the initial application for land in the Federal Capital Territory was made by the state government in 1992 under the administration of Governor Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo. The request was approved on January 14, 1993.
However, a critical administrative error occurred at the time. The allocation was mistakenly issued in the name of "Enugu State Property Development Corporation," an entity that Dr. Asogwa clarified has never legally existed. "The named allottee, therefore, lacked legal personality and contractual capacity from the beginning," he stated.
Fraudulent Claims and Police Investigation
The state government explained that upon discovering this anomaly, it applied to the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) for a correction. Following due process, the wrongful allocation was cancelled, and Plot 804 in Cadastral Zone B03, Wuye District, measuring approximately 1.04 hectares, was formally re-allocated to the Enugu State Government.
All valid title documents, including the Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy, were subsequently obtained by the state. Development work had commenced on the site before it was allegedly attacked and destroyed by agents linked to Simonis Ventures.
Investigations by both the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have confirmed the Enugu State Government as the rightful owner. The police probe into a faked Power of Attorney presented by Simonis Ventures hit a dead end, as the purported directors were found to be "ghost identities" with non-existent addresses, frustrating prosecution.
Abuse of Court Process and Public Deception
The government raised serious concerns about the tactics employed by Simonis Ventures. It accused the firm of abuse of the court process, questioning why a court order allegedly obtained in 2016 only surfaced in 2025, following the demise of Senator Ayogu Eze. The late senator had previously affirmed that the land belonged to Enugu State.
Furthermore, the state condemned attempts to falsely associate the company's directors with the late senator's family. Enugu State also accused Simonis Ventures, its partner Zoe New Dawn, and one Stephen Achama, of criminal conduct, public deception, and the fraudulent marketing of the property as if it were their own.
The Enugu State Government insists the property has never legitimately changed hands and remains its asset, vowing to protect its interests against all fraudulent claims.
