A new case of alleged land fraud has emerged against Uche Edwin Emedo, also known as Uche David Obinali, the niece of former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha. According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed on 14 June 2024 at the Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone II (Court 5), the defendant is accused of multiple offences relating to a disputed land transaction in Abuja.
The FIR identifies Obinali as the daughter of Mrs. Geraldine Obinali, sister to Senator Okorocha. Court documents allege that she presented herself as the bona fide owner of Plot 98, Jubilation Comfort Estate, Abuja, and offered the land for sale to a prospective buyer, Aminu Rabiu Aliyu. She allegedly provided a forged affidavit of loss and a falsified police extract claiming the original land documents were missing.
According to the complaint, Aliyu entrusted N17 million to Obinali for the purchase of the property. He told investigators that she issued him the purported affidavit and police extract as proof of ownership before allegedly disappearing with the money. The transaction is said to have involved alleged forgery, cheating, criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, false information, and deceit – offences contrary to Sections 97, 312, 322, 364, 366, and 140 of the Penal Code.
Investigators reported that Obinali allegedly swore a false oath before a court, generated a forged police extract, and executed a deed of assignment on behalf of Kasimed Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd. She is also accused of presenting a falsified board resolution of the company to further mislead the complainant. The original land documents were later reportedly traced to her former husband, Chinedu Okoro.
The FIR states that Obinali, who lives at 18 Lord Lugard street, Asokoro, Abuja, allegedly converted the N17 million payment to her personal use. When attempts to reach her reportedly failed, Aliyu petitioned the police, leading to the investigation and subsequent filing of charges.
During the court sitting on 6 November 2025, Obinali pleaded not guilty to all allegations. Her counsel made an oral application for bail under Sections 35(4) and 36(5) of the Constitution, as well as Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. The prosecution did not oppose the bail request.
Presiding Magistrate Habiba I. U. Bello granted Obinali bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties required to present verifiable means of livelihood and resident within the court’s jurisdiction. The case, which originated from Wuse Zone 6, has now been transferred and is scheduled to proceed de novo.
In a development that drew attention in court, one of her sureties, Hon. Prince Daniel Kanu, reportedly withdrew his support after alleging that Obinali had previously defrauded him of N5 million. His withdrawal necessitated the presentation of an alternative surety.
The matter has continued to attract interest among observers in Abuja, particularly due to the involvement of a high-value property and the prominence of those linked to the case.
The court is expected to set new dates for further proceedings.
News Editor