Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The trial of a former Kaduna South senatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Engineer Michael Ayuba Auta, has been adjourned to November 10, 2026, by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Kuje, Abuja. Auta is facing a four-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, conspiracy, cheating, and dishonest conversion of funds to the tune of N179 million. The Inspector General of Police filed the charges against Auta and his company, KYC Holdings Limited, following a petition by Arodiogbu Enterprises Limited over an alleged fraudulent land transaction in the Guzape district of Abuja.
According to the charge sheet, Auta and his company allegedly obtained N179 million from Arodiogbu Enterprises Limited through misrepresentation involving a parcel of land in Guzape, Abuja. The prosecution further alleged that neither a valid title to the property was transferred nor were other obligations relating to the transaction fulfilled. The charges include obtaining money by false pretence under Sections 1(1) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, conspiracy under Section 8(a) of the same Act, cheating under Section 312 of the Penal Code, and dishonest conversion under Section 309 of the Penal Code. If convicted on the charge of obtaining money by false pretence, Auta could face a prison term of up to 20 years, while the remaining counts also carry penalties as provided by law.
Auta was arraigned before Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu on the four-count charge. Following his arraignment, the court remanded him at the Kuje Correctional Centre after he failed to meet his bail conditions. However, he was later released on July 2, 2026, after fulfilling the bail requirements. The case has now been adjourned to November 10, 2026, for the continuation of hearing, giving both the prosecution and the defence additional time to prepare their cases.
The allegations against Auta stem from a business transaction involving a parcel of land in Guzape, one of Abuja's high-value residential districts. The prosecution alleges that Auta and his company obtained N179 million from Arodiogbu Enterprises Limited through false representations, and that neither a valid title to the property was transferred nor were other obligations relating to the transaction fulfilled. The case has drawn attention due to the significant amount involved and Auta's political background as a former senatorial aspirant.
The adjournment to November means the trial will not resume until the final quarter of the year, potentially pushing the case further into 2027 if further delays occur. For the prosecution, the case represents a significant test of its ability to prosecute high-profile financial crimes involving political figures and corporate entities. For Auta, the legal battle continues, with his freedom and reputation hanging in the balance. As the case progresses, all eyes will be on the Kuje High Court to see whether justice will be served in one of the FCT's high-profile fraud cases.
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