Ministry of Housing Says it Hasn’t Commenced Sale of Houses Seized from Emefiele

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, on Saturday, has alerted the general public that it has not yet commenced any process for the sale of the 753-unit housing estate recovered from former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

This was disclosed in a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba , on Saturday, 24th May, 2025.

 

The statement is in response to reports reaching the Ministry indicating that scammers were already on the prowl defrauding Nigerians, claiming they have slots from the housing ministry to sell the houses, asking for N500,000 for the purchase of non-existent expression of interest form.

 

Reacting to the development, the Ministry, which just took over the estate from the EFCC, stressed that the houses will be completed by the Ministry and all the necessary infrastructure will be provided before offering them to the public for sale and for the special needs of the government.

 

“The Hon Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa had in that regard announced that the Ministry would set up a technical committee to carry out a physical assessment of the facility, conduct integrity test of the buildings, and ascertain the infrastructure needs that will make the estate habitable and finally come up with the disposal strategy,” the statement partly reads.

 

The public was subsequently informed that the Ministry will give a clear and adequate announcement, as well as a strategy outlined for the sales of the houses, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

The ministry warned Nigerians not to fall victim to fraudsters while advising them to directly contact the ministry’s officials through the departments of Public Building and Housing Development, and the Press and Public Relations for clarification before they commit any resources as regards to the purchase of the houses.

 

The Ministry assured stakeholders that the process for the sale of the property will be guided by transparency, public accountability, and inclusivity, while delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda in the housing sector.

 

Recall that the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa had on Wednesday inspected the said 753-unit housing estate in Abuja, assuring Nigerians of more of such recoveries.

 

The minister stated that while the recovery is “outstanding”, many such patterns of recovery were ongoing.

 

“As you can all see, this is the biggest recovery of its kind in the history of this country, 753 housing units recovered within just about a year of his appointment.

 

“Many more recoveries are ongoing, and we assure Nigerians that we will see more of such results. Nigerians will be better for it, ” the Minister said.

 

The minister further urged the public to support the EFCC in its mission to cleanse the country of economic and financial crimes.

 

The EFCC highlighted that though 753 units were initially declared, the number of recovered properties might increase after remodeling and valuation.

The recovery followed a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, FCT,  Court, Abuja, on December 2, 2024.

 

The forfeiture was based on provisions in Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

 

The EFCC argued that the estate was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.

 

Justice Onwuegbuzie, in his ruling, stated that the respondent failed to justify ownership of the estate, which was “reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”

 

The Ministry has not yet announced the timeline for the sale, but is expected to provide more details once the assessment of the estate is completed.

 

Furthermore, since the forfeiture order was issued by a Federal Capital Territory High Court, a court of first instance, the order may be tested by the disagreeing parties at superior courts, for final determination of the development.

 

On Saturday, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development cautioned the public that the process for the sale of the 753-unit housing estate, seized from former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has yet to begin.

 

This announcement was made in a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba, on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

 

The statement was issued in response to reports suggesting that fraudsters were attempting to deceive Nigerians by claiming to possess slots from the housing ministry to sell the properties, demanding N500,000 for a fictitious expression of interest form.

 

In response to this situation, the Ministry, which recently assumed control of the estate from the EFCC, emphasized that the completion of the properties and the provision of essential infrastructure will precede any sale to the public or allocation for governmental needs.

 

“The Honorable Minister, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, announced that the Ministry will establish a technical committee to conduct a physical assessment of the facility, perform integrity tests on the buildings, determine the infrastructure requirements necessary to make the estate habitable, and ultimately devise a disposal strategy,” the statement partially reads.

 

The public was informed that the Ministry will issue a clear and comprehensive announcement, along with a strategy for the sale of the houses, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

The Ministry advised Nigerians to avoid falling prey to fraudsters and recommended contacting the ministry’s officials through the departments of Public Building and Housing Development, and Press and Public Relations for clarification before committing any resources toward the purchase of the houses.

 

The Ministry assured stakeholders that the sale process will be conducted with transparency, public accountability, and inclusivity, while advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda in the housing sector.

 

It is noteworthy that the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, inspected the 753-unit housing estate in Abuja on Wednesday, promising Nigerians more such recoveries.

 

The minister remarked that while the recovery is “remarkable,” similar recoveries are ongoing.

 

“As you can all observe, this is the largest recovery of its kind in the nation’s history, 753 housing units recovered within approximately a year of his appointment.

 

“Numerous recoveries are in progress, and we assure Nigerians that more such results will be forthcoming. Nigerians will benefit from it,” the Minister affirmed.

 

The minister further encouraged the public to support the EFCC in its efforts to eradicate economic and financial crimes from the country.

 

The EFCC noted that although 753 units were initially reported, the number of recovered properties may increase following remodeling and valuation.

 

The recovery ensued from a final forfeiture order issued by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, FCT, Abuja, on December 2, 2024.

 

The forfeiture was grounded in Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

 

The EFCC contended that the estate was acquired with proceeds from unlawful activities.

 

Justice Onwuegbuzie, in his ruling, stated that the respondent failed to substantiate ownership of the estate, which was “reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”

 

The Ministry has not yet announced the timeline for the sale, but is expected to provide further details once the estate’s assessment is complete.

 

Moreover, since the forfeiture order was issued by a Federal Capital Territory High Court, a court of first instance, the order may be challenged by dissenting parties in higher courts for a final resolution of the matter.