The Nigerian Federal Government has announced plans to sell 753 housing units, previously confiscated from former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, to the public.
This initiative was revealed in a statement from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, following a joint inspection of the property by Minister Ahmed Dangiwa and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede.
Housing Units to Undergo Assessment Before Sale
The housing estate, located in Abuja, was recovered by the EFCC in December 2024 and subsequently handed over to the Ministry after a directive from President Bola Tinubu. During their visit, Dangiwa confirmed that the Ministry would immediately begin technical assessments, including structural integrity tests, to determine the buildings’ readiness for completion and sale.
Once these assessments are complete and the units are deemed structurally sound, they will be made available to Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Portal, a government platform designed to increase access to affordable housing. Dangiwa emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency, stating that such asset recoveries underscore a firm stance against corruption.
Government Hails Significant Recovery as a Win Against Corruption
Minister Dangiwa praised the EFCC for what he described as one of the most substantial recoveries in Nigeria’s recent history, highlighting the government’s seriousness in fighting corruption. He urged public officials to avoid corrupt practices and encouraged citizens to continue supporting the EFCC’s anti-corruption efforts.
EFCC Chairman Olukoyede stressed the importance of public awareness regarding the recovery, noting that the on-site inspection served to confirm the estate’s existence and scale, as only aerial images had been broadcast previously.
The EFCC reports that the estate, spanning over 150,000 square meters and comprising duplexes and other residential units, represents the largest single asset recovery since the commission’s establishment in 2003.
The property was forfeited to the federal government following a final order issued by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on December 2, 2024.