Minister, EFCC Chairman Inspect 753-Unit Housing Estate Recovered from Emefiele
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, alongside the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, recently conducted an on-the-spot inspection of a 753-unit housing estate that was forfeited by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The housing estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja, is comprised of multiple duplexes and various apartment types, covering an area of approximately 150,500 square meters. The property was seized following a final forfeiture order issued by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on December 2, 2024.
It is one of the most substantial recoveries by the EFCC in recent years.
During the inspection, Dangiwa assured the public that the estate would undergo a thorough structural evaluation to ensure its safety and suitability for habitation.
He revealed plans to complete the buildings and make them available for public use through a transparent and competitive process, managed via the government’s Renewed Hope Portal.
“We are committed to ensuring that this estate is fully completed, safe, and available to Nigerians in a fair and transparent manner. The process will be inclusive and open to all,” Dangiwa stated during the inspection.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede expressed satisfaction with the recovery, emphasizing its significance as one of the largest forfeitures in Nigerian history.
He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to managing the recovered assets responsibly, ensuring that they are repurposed for the public good and not allowed to remain idle or underutilized.
“The recovery of this estate highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption. It is an example of how stolen assets can be used for the benefit of the people,” Olukoyede said.
The Federal Government’s efforts to repurpose the estate align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to convert illicitly acquired assets into productive infrastructure.
The estate, once redeveloped, will provide much-needed affordable housing options for Nigerians, showcasing the tangible benefits of the nation’s ongoing anti-corruption initiatives.
The housing estate’s redevelopment and subsequent sale are expected to play a crucial role in addressing the country’s housing deficit while demonstrating the government’s commitment to justice and equity.
Both officials emphasized that the process would be conducted with the utmost transparency, ensuring the estate serves its intended purpose of benefiting the Nigerian public.
The inspection marked a key milestone in the government’s broader strategy to use recovered assets for national development, particularly in areas such as housing and infrastructure.
The public can expect further updates as plans to complete and allocate the estate move forward.
