Investigation launched into new passport issued to Abuja realtor facing fraud charges

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an investigation into claims that Abuja realtor, Rebecca Godwin-Isaac, was issued a second Nigerian passport while facing land fraud charges.

This action followed a petition from lawyers representing a family that complained about how Ms Godwin-Isaac managed to leave Nigeria when her previous passport was still held by the court.

An invitation letter dated 31 August, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, showed that the ministry’s Director of Legal Services, Eva Omotese, asked the lawyers to meet with the Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani.

The meeting was first set for an earlier date but was moved to 4 September.

“I am directed to inform you that the meeting earlier scheduled with the Permanent Secretary has been rescheduled. The meeting is now scheduled to be held on Friday, 4th September 2026,” the letter stated.

At the meeting, Mrs Ajani told the lawyers that the minister had instructed her to investigate the case, according to sources present.

She explained that the ministry would look into the complaint itself rather than just passing it to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Layefa Ajuwa, a lawyer at the firm, expressed concern after finding out that Ms Godwin-Isaac had traveled abroad.

“We found out that she travelled out of the country, and we know that’s not supposed to be possible because her passport is in custody of the court,” Mr Ajuwa said.

He gave the ministry copies of the passport documents. Mrs Ajani asked for clearer copies so they could be properly reviewed.

The lawyers mentioned that Ms Godwin-Isaac had reported her first passport, B00485650, as missing or stolen and later got another one, B51450551.

They raised questions on how a second passport could be issued while the first one was still valid and held by the court. They said the NIS biometric records should show that she had a passport.

Mr Ajuwa also claimed that the second passport was processed through a “non-appearance” method, meaning Ms Godwin-Isaac was not physically present for biometric capture.

Mrs Ajani said the ministry would check the NIS records to find out the passport numbers involved and how the second passport was issued.

She explained that people whose passports are lost or stolen can apply for replacements after providing the needed documents.

PREMIUM TIMES tried to reach Ms Godwin-Isaac for comments on the claims via WhatsApp and text messages but did not get a response by the time of this report.

The lawyers have also given the Comptroller-General of NIS 30 days to respond to their complaint about the questioned passport.

The pre-action notice, dated 7 September and acknowledged by the NIS on 8 September, identified the disputed passport as B51450551.

The lawyers noted that the earlier passport, B00485650, is still valid and remains with the Federal High Court.

They mentioned that they petitioned the NIS on 10 June, asking the agency to investigate the passport's issuance, prosecute anyone involved, and put Ms Godwin-Isaac on a watchlist.

According to the lawyers, the agency has not formally replied to their petition.

In the notice, they further claimed that the disputed passport was obtained through a “non-appearance/no-show” process, and that its photo and signature were digitally altered.

The lawyers warned they would start legal action if the NIS does not respond within 30 days.

They said they would ask the court to make the agency investigate the issue, revoke the disputed passport, and place Ms Godwin-Isaac on a watchlist.

Ms Godwin-Isaac is currently on trial with her husband, Isaac Ishaku, Richard John, and two companies, Homadil Realty Limited and Rychado Homes Limited, in two cases before the lower court.

The cases, FHC/ABJ/CR/76/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CR/77/2025, deal with allegations of land fraud, forgery, and money laundering.

The complaints leading to the charges were made by the Yesufu family in Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claims the defendants collected over N500 million from victims between 2023 and 2024 over disputed properties in Guzape and Katampe areas.

The defendants have denied these claims.

The court had previously granted them bail and ordered that they hand over their travel documents to the court.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that the court ordered the EFCC to arrest Ms Godwin-Isaac after she missed a scheduled hearing.

The trial is set to continue on 26 October.