One of the key figures in the escalating River Park Estate crisis in Abuja, Paul Odili of Paulo Homes, has been accused of attempting to flee the country days after being granted bail by the police.
Odili was arrested on Thursday after workers linked to Paulo Homes allegedly violated a “stop-work” order issued by the court.
Police sources confirmed that he was taken to the Special Tactical Squad (STS/SARS) office in Guzape and later released on a ₦200 million bail with strict conditions, including surrendering his passport.
“He refused to hand over his passport and was spotted on a flight to Lagos with the CEO of Paulo Homes, Giles Anazia, to connect to the US,” a senior police officer told SaharaReporters on Saturday.
“Odili remains on a ₦200 million bail, with Anazia standing as surety.”
The arrest followed a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Task Force operation at River Park Estate, Lugbe, where over 30 substructures were demolished.
The task force accused developers of rushing illegal construction on disputed plots despite court orders and planning regulations.
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the enforcement, said: “We got intelligence that developers were working day and night to beat the revocation order. Despite notices to stop work, excavations and foundations were ongoing. We have now removed them and will continue to do so wherever new work is detected.”
An Abuja High Court earlier ordered parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the ownership dispute.
Meanwhile, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike inaugurated a committee chaired by Barr. Salman Dako to review the crisis.
The committee recommended revoking undeveloped plots in line with the Development Lease Agreement (DLA), while upholding the rights of titleholders who complied with planning rules.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has also accused developers of defying revoked leases and disregarding ministerial directives.
The controversy has now drawn in the Attorney-General of the Federation, who ordered police to halt proceedings in a related criminal charge (CR/402/25) for independent review.
With allegations of bail violation and attempted escape abroad, the River Park saga has heightened concerns in Abuja’s investment and property circles, where billions of naira are at stake.
