Abuja land fraud: Rights group demands IGP’s suspension over alleged ties to suspect
A civil society organization, Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture, INAHURAT, has called for the immediate suspension of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, over his alleged ties to a suspect, Bilikisu Ishaku Rebecca, who is facing multiple criminal charges involving forgery and fraud before the Abuja Federal High Court.
The charges concern an alleged land fraud case involving Plot 4022, Guzape District, and Plots 1861, 1862, and 1863, in Katampe District, of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Bilikisu was charged before the Abuja Federal High Court following a petition by a 79-year-old widow, Hajia Colleen Mero Yesufu, said to be the rightful owner of the plots.
INAHURAT, which has been demanding justice for Yesufu, had severally accused the IGP of obstructing proceedings in the land fraud case due to his alleged ties to Bilikisu.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Gerald Katchy, on Monday, the rights group described the IGP’s alleged association with the suspect as a gross abuse of privilege and office and a mockery of the criminal justice system.
The statement was a reaction to several full-page colour newspaper advertorials published by Bilikisu in various national dailies to felicitate with the IGP on his 61st birthday anniversary.
INAHURAT noted that such action by an accused person, undergoing prosecution by the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, could erode public trust in law enforcement institutions.
The group noted with dismay that neither the IGP nor the Nigeria Police Force has issued an official reaction to the newspaper adverts placed by the suspect to felicitate with the police boss.
Parts of the statement read, “INAHURAT’s strong reaction comes after it was revealed that a criminal suspect, Bilikisu Ishaku Rebecca, who is currently being prosecuted for serious offenses by both the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sponsored numerous full-page newspaper advertorials in different national dailies to felicitate with the Inspector General of Police.
“We find it disturbing that while the Nigerian state is prosecuting an individual for serious allegations of forgery, the same individual is accorded the audacity to publicly felicitate with the head of the police institution in such a grandiose manner. This irresponsible behaviour by the suspect and inappropriate response from the police undermines public confidence in the impartiality of the justice system.
“The same suspect, Rebecca Omokamo Godwin Isaac (A.K.A Bilikisu Ishaku Aliyu), was arraigned by the police before Justice Sadiya Mayana at the Federal High Court in January 2025 and again by the (EFCC) on June 18, 2025, before Justice J.O Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court, both in Abuja. Her husband Ishaku Isaac Yusuf and company Homadil Nigeria Limited all face charges bordering on the alleged forgery of title documents and Power of Attorney, and fraudulent sales of landed properties located at Guzape and Katampe, Abuja running into billions of Naira.
“There is a clear pattern of official police protection for this high profile criminal suspect. Despite charging her with “cosmetic and make-believe offences” bordering on criminal charges for forgery, fraud and illegal occupation of properties, the Inspector General of Police has allegedly shielded Rebecca Omokamo by providing her with VIP police protection of fully armed policemen with gun trucks.
“This glaring contradiction by the IGP suggests a deliberate effort to compromise her prosecution while apparently abusing the Constitutional Powers of his exalted office.”
Continuing, INAHURAT noted that”on numerous occasions this year we have been forced to call out the IGP and Nigeria Police, particularly the immediate past FCT Police Commissioner, for actively interfering with and sabotaging the EFCC’s efforts in arresting and prosecuting those behind the fraudulent sale of several landed properties worth billions of Naira, including those belonging to a 79-year-old widow, Hajia Collen Mero Yesufu”.
The rights group urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately suspend the IGP to allow for a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his relationship with a criminal suspect, as well as the alleged provision of armed protection to the accused person.
INAHURAT alleged that the suspect, Bilikisu was awarded a contract to the tune of N507 million for the renovation of the IGP’s guest house in Maitama, FCT, in December 2023.
It demanded that the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force should immediately issue an official reaction clarifying the circumstances of Bilikisu’s association or business dealings with the IGP, to safeguard the integrity of the Nigeria Police.
Stating further demands, the statement said, “The Nigerian Police Force must immediately cease all interference in the prosecution of Bilikisu Ishaku Rebecca and allow the EFCC and the judiciary to carry out their duties without obstruction.”
Abuja land fraud: Rights group demands IGP’s suspension over alleged ties to suspect
