The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially handed over a 753-unit housing estate, forfeited by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, conducted the handover on Tuesday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, presenting the estate to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa.
Minister Dangiwa praised the EFCC for its unwavering efforts in the fight against corruption and the recovery of public assets. He noted that the handover marks a key moment in the government’s drive to repurpose recovered assets for public benefit.
“This development represents a milestone in ensuring that recovered assets serve the Nigerian people. The estate recovered from the former CBN Governor is a prime example,” Dangiwa stated.
He revealed that the Ministry would conduct thorough integrity and structural assessments of the buildings and infrastructure to confirm their safety and suitability for habitation. A comprehensive technical evaluation will also be carried out to determine the cost of completing pending infrastructure such as perimeter fencing, internal roads, drainage, a police post, shopping areas, and recreational facilities.
According to Dangiwa, the housing units will be offered for sale to the public and for other government needs. The public sale will be done transparently through nationwide advertisements and via the Renewed Hope Portal, where Nigerians can express interest.
In his remarks, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede said the handover reflects the tangible outcomes of the anti-corruption campaign under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He explained that the estate, located on Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja, spans over 150,462 square meters and contains hundreds of housing units.
Olukoyede emphasized the importance of transparency in handling recovered assets, stressing President Tinubu’s directive to transfer the estate to the Housing Ministry for proper use.
“It is crucial that Nigerians see how recovered proceeds of crime are utilized, ensuring that looted assets are not looted again,” he stated.
