Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a man, Ifeanyi Mba, over an alleged N10 million land fraud.

The anti-graft agency disclosed the arrest in a statement posted on its official X handle on Monday.

]EFCC said, “The suspect was arrested following claims of a petitioner alleging that he paid the suspect the said sum for a piece of land located at Plot 677 Owo/Premier Layout, Ogui Nike community in Enugu state, only to find out that the land was being developed by unknown persons.

“According to the petitioner, when he contacted the suspect regarding the development, he said he was informed that the said property was government owned

“Subsequently, all efforts made by the petitioner to recover his money proved abortive as the suspect remained incommunicado.”

The anti-graft agency said preliminary investigations showed that there is no layout bearing Plot 677 Owo/Premier within government-acquired areas, adding that Owo and Premier are two separate layouts.

It said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

This latest arrest other prosecutions handled by the Enugu Zonal Directorate.

In January  the Enugu State Government recovered a total of ₦1.28 billion from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd. following investigations by EFCC into the alleged diversion of funds meant for the construction of Smart Green Schools across the state.

The recovered funds, which form part of payments made to the company for projects reportedly abandoned or substantially unexecuted, were formally handed over to the state government at the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office.

The development was confirmed on Monday in a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, who said the defection followed his principal’s engagements with party leaders, elders and supporters in the state.

“The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the general public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.

“After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, has decided to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress,” the statement read.

According to Anka, the governor’s decision was influenced by the internal challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels.

“This decision was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and supporters, particularly in view of the prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels.

“These challenges have continued to create uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” the statement added.

He further emphasised that the governor remained committed to addressing the security and development needs of the North-Western state.

Anka said it had become necessary for the governor to “align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government for the benefit of the people.”

He disclosed that the final decision followed a meeting held at the Government House in Gusau involving top government officials and key political stakeholders in the state.

“The final deliberation leading to this historic decision was held at the Government House in Gusau under the coordination and leadership of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders,” the statement said.

He said the governor also expressed appreciation to members of the PDP for their support over the years, noting that the prevailing political circumstances made the move necessary.

“By joining the APC, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government,” it added.

Lawal is among the governors expected to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.

His defection comes shortly after a Court of Appeal judgment on Monday, which upheld an earlier ruling restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan.

The development increases the number of APC governors across the country to 31.