FG To Sell Emefiele’s 753-Duplex Housing Estate

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has assumed control of the 753-housing units Estate, previously owned by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, which was forfeited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC’s executive chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, transferred the housing estate to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi district of Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.

Minister Dangiwa praised the EFCC’s leadership under Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede for their persistent efforts in combating corruption and recovering public assets.

“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 elaborated that a detailed technical evaluation will be conducted to ascertain the cost of completing all pending infrastructure and ancillary facilities, including 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.

Earlier, during his presentation, EFCC chairman Olukoyede noted that the transfer of the forfeited properties showcased the impact of the fight against financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria, as outlined in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He recounted an investigation into the property, initiated last year, which resulted in a civil forfeiture of the asset due to the belief that it could not have been legitimately owned.

He also stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in managing forfeited assets, citing President Bola Tinubu’s directive to transfer the asset to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for 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 explained that the estate comprised hundreds of apartments on a 150,462.86 square meter plot of land located at plot 109, cadastral zone, C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli