From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has officially taken possession of the 753 housing units in the Abuja estate formerly owned by ex-Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.

The property, confiscated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was handed over to the ministry in Abuja on Tuesday.

At the handover ceremony, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, described the transfer as a testament to the impact of the ongoing fight against financial crimes and corruption under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Olukoyede recounted that the investigation into the estate began last year, culminating in a civil forfeiture due to the suspicion that the asset was illicitly acquired.

Emphasizing transparency and accountability, he said, “It is important for us to demonstrate to Nigerians that whatever proceeds of crime we recover in the course of our work, the application of that will be made transparent so that we will not allow looted assets to be looted again.”

The EFCC chairman revealed that the estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone, Lokogoma District, Abuja, sits on a 150,462.86 square meter parcel of land, containing hundreds of apartments. He assured that the EFCC will oversee the project’s completion through periodic monitoring and reporting to the President.

He further praised President Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for anti-corruption efforts to thrive, and lauded the judiciary for its support in ensuring perpetrators of financial crimes do not escape justice.

Receiving the estate, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the EFCC’s relentless efforts in 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,” he stated.

Dangiwa outlined plans for a joint familiarisation tour of the estate with the EFCC team to assess its condition. “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 explained.

The minister added that a comprehensive technical evaluation will determine the costs required to complete outstanding infrastructure such as perimeter fencing, internal roads, drainage, a police post, shopping areas, recreational centres, and other essential amenities.

On the estate’s future, Dangiwa said, “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 added: “We are committed to making this a model of accountability and public benefit, and we look forward to working closely with the commission to bring this effort to a successful conclusion.”

The handover ceremony culminated with the formal transfer of the forfeiture documents from the EFCC chairman to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development.