River Park Estate: Developer accused of trying to flee Nigeria after N200m bail

Paul Odili, a developer linked to Paulo Homes, has been accused of allegedly attempting to flee the country while on bail in the ongoing River Park Estate dispute in Abuja.

Odili was first nabbed on Thursday after workers under his company defied a court-ordered stop-work directive at the estate in Lugbe.

He was granted N200 million bail and ordered to surrender his passport.

Security sources said the developer was sighted on Saturday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while boarding a flight to Lagos, reportedly to connect to the United States.

He was travelling with Paulo Homes CEO, Giles Anazia, who had stood as surety for his bail.

“He was supposed to surrender his passport but refused. He was seen at the airport probably attempting to flee,” a police source said.

The drama is part of a wider probe into ownership and development rights at the estate, which has been mired in legal disputes.

The FCTA has demolished over 30 illegal structures at River Park Estate for violating planning regulations.

Despite court orders to maintain the status quo, construction in parts of the estate continued, prompting intervention from the FCTA and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who ordered a review of all pending police actions.

The saga has caused concern among investors and property owners in Abuja, raising questions about the security of real estate investments in the FCT.