……………….Ministry will offer the units for sale to the public and for special government needs – Dangiwa.
……………….We will monitor the completion and transparent disposal of the properties EFCC Chairman.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has taken delivery of the 753 Housing Units Abuja housing estate of former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede handed over the housing estate to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa at the Ministry’s headquarters, Mabushi, Tuesday, 20th May, 2025
Minister, Dangiwa commended the leadership of EFCC under Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede for the sustained efforts in the fight against corruption and the recovery of 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.
Accordingly, Dangiwa informed that, following the formal handover of the estate by the EFCC, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will conduct a joint familiarization tour of the facility alongside EFCC team to properly assess its state.
“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.
He further explained that, a comprehensive technical evaluation will be undertaken to determine the cost of completing all outstanding 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.
Dangiwa also stated “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.”
In his presentation remarks, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede stated that the handing over of the forfeited properties was a demonstration of the impact of the fight against financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria as pronounced in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He recalled an investigation into the property which started last year, leading to a civil forfeiture of the asset due to the belief that no one could have owned it legitimately.
He also emphasized on the need for accountability and transparency in managing forfeited assets, informing of the directive from President Bola Tinubu to hand over 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 informed that the Estate contained hundreds of apartment on parcel of land measuring 150,462.86 square meters and located at plot 109, cadastral zone, co9, Lokogoma district, Abuja.
Accordingly, he informed that the Commission would monitor the project completion by the Ministry for periodic reports and feedback to the President.
Mr. Olukoyede thanked President Tinubu for creating a conducive environment for the fight against corruption to thrive in Nigeria, as well as the judiciary for standing by the fight, ensuring that people don’t get away with process of crime in Nigeria.
Highlight of the meeting was an official handover of document of the forfeited asset to the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development by the chairman of the EFCC.
Signed
Salisu Badamasi Haiba
Director Press and Public Relations
20th May, 2025
