The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has assumed control of a 753-unit housing estate previously owned by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, which was forfeited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC Executive Chairman, 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 on Tuesday, May 20.
Minister Dangiwa praised the EFCC’s leadership under Olukoyede for its continued commitment to combating corruption and recovering public assets.
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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.
We intend to carry out thorough integrity and structural assessments on all buildings and associated infrastructure to confirm their safety and suitability for habitation,” the minister stated.
The minister further stated that a thorough technical assessment will be conducted to determine the cost of completing all remaining infrastructure and supporting facilities. This includes perimeter fencing, internal roads, drainage systems, a police post, shopping areas, recreational centers, and other essential amenities.
The Ministry will offer the units for sale both to the public and for special government needs. For the public sale component, we will adopt a transparent and competitive process. This will include nationwide advertisement and the use of the Renewed Hope Portal, where interested Nigerians can submit their Expressions of Interest,” he remarked
In his earlier remarks, EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede noted that the handover of the forfeited property reflects the tangible progress in Nigeria’s fight against financial crimes and corruption, as outlined in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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He recounted that the investigation into the property began last year, ultimately resulting in a civil forfeiture based on the belief that the asset could not have been legitimately acquired.
Olukoyede also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of forfeited assets. He disclosed that President Tinubu had directed the transfer of the property to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for its completion.
“It is important for us to demonstrate to Nigerians that whatever proceed of crime that we had 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,” he said.
The EFCC chairman stated that the estate comprises hundreds of apartments situated on a 150,462.86-square-meter parcel of land, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
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