SaharaReporters has uncovered court and financial records raising questions over the disputed reallocation of six plots at the Delta Development and Property Authority (DDPA) Housing Estate in Ugborikoko, Effurun, Delta State, as well as transactions exceeding ₦1 billion allegedly passing through the personal bank account of a serving DDPA official.
The records reviewed by SaharaReporters also raise questions about the payment of approximately ₦5.239 million for the disputed plots, the issuance of a DDPA receipt in the name of a private company despite the payment originating from an individual’s account, conflicting representations allegedly made by DDPA in court and to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the reported involvement of soldiers, police officers and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the property dispute.
The controversy centres on Plots 833–838 at the DDPA Housing Estate, Ugborikoko, Effurun, which were originally allocated to MOM Property Limited in 2009.
According to documents reviewed by SaharaReporters, MOM Property Limited paid about ₦53 million to DDPA for the six plots following the allocation.
However, the company later discovered that the same plots had allegedly been revoked and reallocated to Bravematt Property and Investment Limited, which reportedly paid approximately ₦5.239 million for the property in 2025.
The development triggered a legal dispute after soldiers reportedly entered the property, pulled down its fence and gate and asserted ownership on behalf of Bravematt.
MOM Property Limited subsequently approached the court to challenge the purported revocation and reallocation and to establish its legal rights over the property.
From ₦53m in 2009 to ₦5.2m in 2025
The records raise questions about the significant difference between the amount paid for the plots in 2009 and the amount subsequently recorded for the same six plots in 2025.
Available documents indicate that MOM Property Limited paid approximately ₦53 million to DDPA in 2009 for Plots 833–838.
Following the purported revocation, however, DDPA documentation in 2025 reportedly reflected an allocation of the same plots to Bravematt Property and Investment Limited for approximately ₦5.239 million.
Based solely on those figures, the 2025 consideration represents a nominal reduction of about 90.2 per cent from the amount recorded as having been paid for the six plots 16 years earlier.
The discrepancy raises questions about the valuation of the property, the basis for the 2025 consideration, the approvals obtained before the purported reallocation and whether the relevant DDPA officials complied with applicable procedures.
These issues, SaharaReporters understands, form part of matters being presented for investigation by the EFCC and other relevant authorities.
Personal bank account linked to ₦1bn transaction trail
The financial records reviewed by SaharaReporters also raise questions about transactions involving Joseph Onogharigho Onyeme, identified in the documents as a DDPA Warri Area Officer.
One transaction of particular interest concerns an alleged payment of approximately ₦5.239 million into DDPA’s Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) account in connection with the disputed plots.
Bank records reviewed by SaharaReporters indicate that the payment originated from a personal Zenith Bank account identified as belonging to Onyeme, rather than from an account held in the name of Bravematt Property and Investment Limited.
The records reportedly identify the DDPA account into which the money was paid as an account maintained with GTBank.
Despite the payment trail, DDPA reportedly issued a receipt in the name of Bravematt Property and Investment Limited.
The discrepancy between the individual identified as the originating payer in the banking records and the company named on the DDPA receipt raises questions about the capacity in which the individual made the payment, who provided the funds, on whose instructions the payment was made and why the receipt was issued to Bravematt.
SaharaReporters also reviewed material said to include an authenticated recording in which Onyeme allegedly referred to a person as his superior or “boss” in relation to instructions concerning the transaction.
The circumstances surrounding the payment, including the identity of the beneficial source of the funds and the purpose for which the payment passed through the official’s personal account, are matters that would require determination by the appropriate investigative authorities.
Transactions exceeding ₦1 billion
Beyond the disputed land payment, financial records reviewed by SaharaReporters reportedly show cumulative transactions exceeding ₦1 billion through the personal Zenith Bank account identified as belonging to Onyeme during the relevant period.
The records contain transaction dates, counterparties and details of inflows and transfers to different beneficiaries.
The existence of transactions of that value in a personal account does not, by itself, establish criminal wrongdoing. However, the records raise questions about the source and purpose of the funds, the identities of the beneficiaries, Onyeme’s relationship with the parties involved and whether any of the transactions were connected to his official duties at DDPA.
These are among the issues the petitioners are asking the EFCC to subject to forensic investigation.
One transaction specifically highlighted in the petition is an alleged ₦80 million transfer to Toni-Kess Construction Company Limited, a company the petitioners say is associated with Chief Anthony Oboroh, identified in the documents as the Chairman of the DDPA Board.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged payment, its purpose and any relationship between the company, the DDPA official and the board chairman are also being presented for investigation.
Earlier government intervention in the property
SaharaReporters’ investigation also found that the disputed property had previously been the subject of dealings involving the Delta State Government.
Available court records indicate that the government entered portions of Plots 830, 831 and part of Plot 838 in 2010 and 2018.
According to the records, portions of the property were used for a Customary Court and a Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) substation.
The earlier dispute was reportedly resolved through compensation to the allottee in late 2021.
The proceedings were subsequently withdrawn from the Delta State High Court on February 11, 2022, following a settlement, after which the presiding judge issued an Enrolment of Court Order.
The history is significant because it establishes that portions of the property had previously been the subject of government intervention and litigation before the latest dispute over Plots 833–838.
Different accounts by DDPA
Another issue raised by the documents is an apparent discrepancy between positions attributed to DDPA in court proceedings and a statement reportedly provided to the EFCC.
In its court filings concerning Plots 833–838, DDPA reportedly stated that the plots had been revoked and reallocated to Bravematt Property and Investment Limited.
However, in a separate statement reportedly made to the EFCC, DDPA allegedly stated that although the plots had been revoked, they had not been reallocated because litigation was pending.
The two accounts, if accurately reflected in the documents, raise questions about the status of the plots and the basis for the different representations.
However, the discrepancy does not, on its own, establish that false information was deliberately supplied to either the court or the EFCC.
The dates, circumstances, authorship, knowledge of the officials involved and the underlying records would need to be examined by investigators to determine whether any wrongdoing occurred.
Petition to EFCC
SaharaReporters learnt that a petition seeking an investigation into the transactions and conduct of officials connected to the matter was submitted to the Chairman of the EFCC in December 2025.
The matter was also reportedly brought to the attention of the Director-General of the DSS, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence, Inspector-General of Police and Chief of Army Staff.
According to sources familiar with the matter, individuals and representatives of companies connected to the dispute were subsequently invited by the EFCC Benin Zonal Office.
The latest petition to the EFCC reportedly asks the commission to investigate several issues, including:
The original 2009 allocation of Plots 833–838 to MOM Property Limited and the approximately ₦53 million paid for the property.
The circumstances surrounding the purported revocation and subsequent reallocation of the plots in 2025.
The approximately 90 per cent difference between the amount recorded as having been paid in 2009 and the 2025 consideration of about ₦5.239 million.
The cumulative transactions exceeding ₦1 billion allegedly passing through Onyeme’s personal Zenith Bank account.
The approximately ₦5.239 million payment from that account into DDPA’s GTBank account.
The reason DDPA issued the corresponding receipt in Bravematt’s name despite the originating account being a personal account belonging to Onyeme.
The alleged ₦80 million transfer to Toni-Kess Construction Company Limited and any relationship between the company and DDPA’s board chairman.
The apparently conflicting accounts attributed to DDPA in its court filings and its statement to the EFCC.
The reported involvement of security personnel in the disputed property and allegations of intimidation of the original allottee.
Alleged use of security personnel
The dispute has also escalated beyond the courtroom, with the original allottee alleging that soldiers and police officers were used to gain entry to the disputed property.
According to the allegations, personnel entered the property and demolished portions of the fence and gate after Bravematt asserted ownership.
The circumstances surrounding the deployment of the security personnel, including who requested their presence, who authorised any action taken and the legal basis for their involvement, remain matters requiring clarification.
The original allottee has also alleged harassment and intimidation through invitations from the DSS.
Its lawyers reportedly wrote to the agency asking it to halt further invitations, arguing that the underlying land dispute was already before the courts and that the financial aspects of the matter had been brought before the EFCC.
The involvement of the DSS has raised further questions for the petitioners about the nature of the complaint before the agency, the conduct allegedly being investigated and whether the inquiry is separate from the issues already before the EFCC and the Delta State High Court.
The role and mandate of each security agency in the matter would ultimately depend on the specific complaint received, the alleged offences under investigation and the legal basis for any action taken.
Calls for investigation
The petitioners are urging the EFCC to conduct a comprehensive forensic investigation into the financial transactions, the land allocation and reallocation process and the roles played by public officials and private entities connected to the matter.
They are particularly seeking clarification on why a DDPA official’s personal account allegedly received and transferred funds exceeding ₦1 billion during the relevant period, and whether any of those transactions were connected to official business.
They are also asking investigators to determine the source and beneficial ownership of the funds, the identities of recipients, the purpose of the transactions and whether any public official breached financial or administrative rules.
The allegations contained in the petition and the records reviewed by SaharaReporters do not by themselves establish that the officials or companies involved committed a crime. Determining whether any offence occurred would require a full investigation, examination of the original banking records and official DDPA documents, and responses from the individuals and entities named.
The EFCC is being asked to establish whether the transactions and property dealings complied with the law and, where wrongdoing is established, to prosecute those responsible.
SaharaReporters could not get the comments of Joseph Onogharigho Onyeme, and Anthony Oboroh, on the allegations at the time of filing this report. Several efforts to get their reactions and comments on the allegations failed as neither Onyeme nor Oboroh answered calls made to them nor responded to messages sent to them requesting their reactions and comments.
(SaharaReporters)