The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has received 753 housing units in Abuja allegedly owned by former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officially handed over the estate on Tuesday in Abuja.
The estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja, sits on a parcel of land measuring 150,462.86 square meters and contains hundreds of apartments.
THE POINT recalls that the housing units were seized as part of a civil forfeiture following EFCC’s investigation into assets allegedly linked to the embattled former CBN governor.
EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede said the handover underscores the anti-graft agency’s commitment to fighting corruption in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This marks a demonstration of the impact of the fight against financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in managing forfeited assets, adding that President Tinubu had directed that the property be handed over to the housing ministry for completion and public benefit.
“It is important for us to demonstrate to Nigerians that whatever proceeds of crime that we have recovered in the course of our work, the application of that will be made transparent to Nigerians so that we will not allow looted assets to be looted again,” Olukoyede said.
He added that the EFCC would continue to monitor the project and receive periodic reports and feedback from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to ensure proper use of the property.
In his remarks, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the EFCC under Olukoyede’s leadership for its continued efforts to recover public assets and fight corruption.
“This marks a significant milestone in our collective determination to ensure that recovered assets are put to productive use in ways that directly benefit the Nigerian people. The housing estate recovered from the former Governor of the Central Bank is a case in point,” Dangiwa said.
The minister added that a joint familiarisation tour of the estate would be conducted with the EFCC team to assess the condition of the buildings and infrastructure.
“We intend to carry out thorough integrity and structural assessments on all buildings and associated infrastructure to confirm their safety and suitability for habitation,” Dangiwa stated.