CSO petitions ICPC over alleged corruption in surveyor-general’s office

By Stella Odueme

A Civil Society Organization, the Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surveyor Abdulganiyu Adebomehin, and other officials over allegations of abuse of office, corrupt advantage and diversion of public resources.

The petition, dated October 14, 2026, and acknowledged by the commission on October 16, was signed by CASER’s Executive Director, Frank Tietie.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Tietie alleged that military and police personnel, accompanied by civilian agents acting under the authority of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF), invaded Plots 5, 6, 7 and 8 in Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki Peninsula Scheme II, on August 15, 2026.

According to the petition made available to journalists, the personnel allegedly removed the signboard of BraveMatt Property and Investment Limited, which occupies and claims the property, installed two 40-foot shipping containers on the site and threatened workers with lethal force.

CASER alleged that the operation amounted to the use of federal personnel, vehicles and other public resources to advance private commercial interests.

The organisation also cited a formal response dated September 1, 2026, signed by Amali Ati on behalf of the Surveyor-General. It said the response acknowledged that OSGOF intervened following representations by Industrial and General Insurance Limited, which asserted claims on behalf of 44 Hospitality Limited, also known as Four H Limited or 4H Nigeria Limited.

CASER questioned the basis for OSGOF’s involvement in a dispute between private entities, arguing that the office lacked the statutory authority to act as a debt or land recovery agency.

“OSGOF has no statutory power to function as a debt or land recovery agency, nor does it have legal authority to deploy armed personnel or engage in self-help,” the petition stated.

The group argued that the alleged deployment of government resources to dispossess one private entity for the benefit of another warranted an investigation into possible corrupt advantage under Section 19 of the ICPC Act.

It further described the alleged action as raising the presumption that “public power was converted into a corrupt, private enforcement tool.”

CASER urged the ICPC to investigate the Surveyor-General and other officials allegedly involved in the operation, in line with the commission’s investigative mandate under Section 6 of the Act.

It also requested an audit of OSGOF’s financial and operational records, including task-force authorisations, security requests, vehicle logbooks and expenditure approvals.

The organisation called on the commission to question directors and representatives of Industrial and General Insurance Limited and 44 Hospitality Limited to determine whether any benefits, inducements or improper arrangements were offered to public officials.

Additionally, it urged the ICPC to examine bank records and financial intelligence to trace any direct or indirect payments, gratification or logistical funding between the private claimants and OSGOF officials.

CASER said those found culpable should be prosecuted if investigations establish evidence of criminal offences.

The organisation, however, acknowledged that the underlying boundary and possession dispute was pending before the Lagos State High Court, noting that neither CASER nor OSGOF was a party to the case.

“This criminal petition is not asking the ICPC to determine land ownership or title,” it stated.

CASER maintained that its petition was focused on the alleged misuse of public office and federal resources to advance private interests, rather than the determination of ownership of the disputed property.

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