Federal Government To Sell 753 Housing Units Seized From Emefiele

The Federal Government has announced plans to sell a 753-unit housing estate that was forfeited by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as part of assets recovered through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Naijaonpoint reports that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development confirmed on Tuesday that it had officially taken possession of the property, located in Abuja, following a formal handover by the EFCC at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi.

A statement signed by Salisu Haiba, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, revealed the details of the transaction.

It read, “The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has taken delivery of the 753 housing units in Abuja, recovered from the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, by the EFCC.”

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, praised the EFCC’s ongoing commitment to anti-corruption efforts and asset recovery.

“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,” Dangiwa said.

He also highlighted that the Ministry, in collaboration with the EFCC, would soon undertake a joint tour of the estate to evaluate its condition.

Dangiwa explained that the Ministry’s priority is to conduct thorough integrity and structural assessments on the estate’s buildings and infrastructure to confirm their safety and suitability for habitation.

“We intend to carry out thorough integrity and structural assessments on all buildings and associated infrastructure to confirm their safety and suitability for habitation,” he added.

Dangiwa further revealed that the housing units would be made available for both public sale and to meet special government needs. He emphasised that the sale process would be open, transparent, and competitive.

“For the public sale component, we will adopt a transparent and competitive process. This will include a nationwide advertisement and the use of the Renewed Hope Portal where interested Nigerians can submit their Expressions of Interest,” he stated.

During the handover of the estate, EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede stressed the symbolic and practical importance of the event as a demonstration of the government’s firm stance on corruption.

“It is important for us to demonstrate to Nigerians that whatever proceeds of crime we recover will be applied transparently and in a manner that benefits the public. We will not allow looted assets to be looted again,” Olukoyede said

The announcement of the housing sale follows ongoing legal proceedings against Godwin Emefiele, who is currently facing trial for multiple financial crimes and related offences.