The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, jointly inspected a confiscated 753 units housing estate comprising 753 units, previously owned by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The estate, located in Abuja, was recovered by the EFCC and officially handed over to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in line with a directive from President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during the inspection on Wednesday, Dangiwa disclosed that the ministry would immediately commence technical assessments by conducting integrity tests on the buildings.
He noted that upon successful evaluation, the housing units will be completed and made available for purchase by Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Housing Portal, which is already active.
The government of the day is serious about fighting corruption. This recovery is a landmark achievement—one of the most significant in the country’s recent history within such a short time. It reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that national assets serve the Nigerian people,” Dangiwa said.
He further urged public office holders to shun corrupt practices and called on Nigerians to continue to support the EFCC in its mission to recover looted assets for public benefit.
On his part, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede emphasised the importance of public trust and transparency in the agency’s work.
“What many Nigerians had seen previously were just aerial shots on television. The essence of this visit is to show that it is real. We want the public to know that the EFCC does not just seize properties—it ensures they are put to productive use,” he stated.
The estate is expected to be integrated into the Federal Government’s National Social Housing Programme, in alignment with President Tinubu’s agenda to promote affordable housing and good governance.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development officially confirmed receipt of the property from the EFCC during a handover ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Salisu Badamasi Haiba, Dangiwa applauded the EFCC for its commitment to asset recovery and the broader anti-corruption fight.
“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,” the statement read.
On April 28, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, dismissed an application by Emefiele to reclaim the forfeited property.
The estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, spans over 150,000 square metres. The seized property secured both interim and final forfeiture orders in December 2024.
Emefiele, through his lawyer Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), had argued that he was not properly informed about the proceedings and claimed the EFCC published the notice in an obscure part of a newspaper. He said his ongoing trials in Abuja and Lagos also made it difficult to respond in time.
However, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that the publication met legal requirements and that Emefiele had enough time—over two weeks—to challenge the forfeiture but failed to do so.
The judge stressed that only those with a clear legal interest in a property can apply to reverse a forfeiture. He dismissed Emefiele’s motion, affirming the estate’s permanent forfeiture to the government.