The Federal Government has taken possession of a 753-unit housing estate previously linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, with plans underway to sell the properties.
On Tuesday, May 20, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, officially handed over the estate to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, at the Ministry’s headquarters in the Mabushi district of Abuja.
Minister Dangiwa applauded the EFCC’s leadership for its continued commitment to combating corruption and recovering public assets.
“This marks a significant milestone in our shared resolve to ensure that recovered assets are repurposed to directly benefit Nigerians,” Dangiwa said. “The estate recovered from the former CBN Governor is a clear example.”
He noted that all buildings and infrastructure within the estate would undergo integrity and structural assessments to confirm their safety for habitation.
A full technical evaluation will also be conducted to determine the cost of completing necessary infrastructure such as perimeter fencing, internal roads, drainage, a police post, shopping areas, and recreational facilities.
The minister added that the housing units will be sold to both the public and for specific government use. For the public sale, a transparent, competitive process will be followed, including nationwide advertisement and applications through the Renewed Hope Portal.
EFCC Chairman Olukoyede, in his remarks, said the property was recovered through a civil forfeiture following investigations launched last year.
The estate, which sits on 150,462.86 square meters at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09 in the Lokogoma District of Abuja, contains hundreds of apartment units.
He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in managing recovered assets and highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s directive to transfer the property to the Housing Ministry for public benefit.
“It is important we show Nigerians that proceeds of crime recovered by the EFCC will be transparently managed and not fall back into private hands,” Olukoyede said.