Police probe alleged ₦450m land scam, Lilyworth Homes CEO Nnenne Nwizu in custody

Michael Olumide Alabi

Lagos State Police Command has intensified investigations into an alleged multi-million-naira land fraud involving the Chief Executive Officer of Lilyworth Homes Ltd, Nnenne Hope Nwizu, with the suspect expected to be arraigned before a court following the conclusion of investigations.

The development followed a petition submitted to the police by one Ugwunna Anayo Mark and about 30 other complainants, who alleged that they were defrauded of substantial sums of money in connection with purported land transactions in the South-East.

According to police sources, the case was triggered by a formal complaint lodged on July 10, 2026, alleging that Nwizu, through Lilyworth Homes Ltd, allegedly induced the complainants to make payments for plots of land which, according to them, were never delivered.

The matter reportedly took a new dimension following the arrest of the suspect at Ebute-Ero, Lagos Island. Sources said the case was subsequently transferred from the Ebute-Ero Police Division to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, on July 21, 2026, for further investigation by the Anti-Fraud Section.

The complainants alleged that each of the affected individuals paid approximately ₦9.45 million for the proposed land transactions. However, they claimed that despite waiting for more than two years, they had neither taken possession of the properties nor received refunds of the monies allegedly paid.

The victims are said to have approached the police after their efforts to resolve the matter and recover their funds allegedly failed.

Preliminary investigations by detectives reportedly revealed that the company’s known corporate address was allegedly abandoned after the transactions, while the suspect was said to have relocated to an unknown destination.

The development reportedly heightened concerns among the complainants and prompted them to seek police intervention.

The cumulative amount allegedly involved in the transactions has been estimated at ₦450 million, although investigators are reportedly examining the financial records and transactions to establish the exact amount involved.

Meanwhile, the number of alleged victims may increase as additional complainants are said to be coming forward at the SCID, Panti, to report similar experiences involving the company.

The police are also reportedly investigating allegations that part of the funds allegedly collected from the complainants may have been diverted towards the construction of a massive hotel project at a location that has not been officially disclosed.

The alleged diversion of funds is among the issues being examined by detectives as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the transactions and determine whether criminal offences were committed.

Police sources said the 41-year-old suspect is currently assisting detectives with the investigation. The sources added that she would be charged in court after the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.

The police are expected to examine relevant documents, financial transactions, property records and statements from the complainants and other persons connected with the alleged transactions as part of efforts to establish the facts of the case.

The investigation comes amid renewed efforts by the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, to tackle alleged financial crimes, fraud and other organised criminal activities through intelligence-led investigations.

The SCID, under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin, has continued to investigate complex criminal complaints and financial disputes brought before the command, with emphasis on gathering evidence and ensuring that suspects are prosecuted where sufficient evidence is established.

For the affected complainants, however, the investigation represents a renewed hope of recovering their allegedly lost investments and obtaining justice after years of uncertainty.

As the investigation continues, more alleged victims are expected to appear before the police, while detectives work to determine the full scope of the alleged transactions and the total amount of money involved.

The police have not yet disclosed the specific court or date of arraignment. The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.