The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that many abandoned estates in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are owned by civil servants.

He alleged that many of the estates were built with stolen funds and became abandoned after the civil servants retired from service and no longer had access to the stolen funds.

Naijaonpoint reports Olukoyede made the declaration on Wednesday while speaking in Abuja at a policy dialogue organised by Law Corridor with the theme, “Critical Issues Affecting Nigeria’s Real Estate Ecosystem.”

He added that the EFCC has set up a special team to visit abandoned properties not only in Abuja but across the country to ascertain ownership.

“I have set up the team. We will start visiting all the estates, not only in Abuja but across Nigeria. We want to know who owns what.

“It will shock you that some of these estates have been abandoned for 10 to 20 years. They just take it to a level, and they abandon it.

“Nobody knows what is going on. What we have been able to gather is that most of these estates were funded by civil servants who have stolen money.

“The moment they leave public service, and the money is no longer coming, they abandon the estate. Then, the developer will start looking for investors to support them to complete the project,” Olukoyede said as reported by The Cable.

The EFCC boss added that some current civil servants who were also part of the event on Wednesday might also own some of the estates in question.

While acknowledging that some civil servants have genuine and legitimate sources of income, he disclosed that the anti-graft agency has had cause to file for forfeiture in recent times for about 15 estates.

“We have gotten more intelligence, too. Some of you sitting in this room, probably some of those estates belong to you.

“But very soon, we expect to meet you in court because there is no way we will develop this sector if we continue with that attitude. I know some of you have your genuine source of capital.”

He warned lawyers and real estate developers not to lend themselves as willing tools in the hands of those who engage in money laundering.