The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has officially taken possession of a 753-unit housing estate previously linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, who is currently facing corruption allegations.
The handover, conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), took place on Tuesday at the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, according to a statement released by the ministry’s spokesperson, Salisu Haiba.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, lauded the EFCC’s unwavering efforts in tracking and retrieving public assets lost to corruption.
“The 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,” the statement read.
“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.”
Dangiwa further disclosed that the ministry and the EFCC would carry out a joint inspection of the estate to determine its current 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 noted.
He also announced that the estate would be partially sold to the public through an open process that includes advertising and a nationwide application process via the Renewed Hope Portal.
“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.
EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, emphasised the broader message the recovery sends in the fight against graft.
“It is important for us to demonstrate to Nigerians that whatever proceeds of crime that we have 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 stated.