By Uzair Adam
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has officially received a 753-unit housing estate in Abuja, previously linked to the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry confirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handed over the estate during a formal event at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the EFCC for its consistent commitment to asset recovery and the broader anti-corruption fight.
“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has taken delivery of the 753 housing units in Abuja, formerly owned by the ex-CBN governor, and recovered by the EFCC,” the Ministry’s spokesperson, Salisu Haiba, quoted Dangiwa as saying.
Dangiwa described the handover as a milestone in the effort to ensure recovered assets are repurposed to benefit Nigerians. He said the estate will undergo structural and safety assessments before being repurposed.
“We plan to carry out thorough integrity checks on all buildings and infrastructure. Once deemed suitable, the estate will be offered for sale through a transparent and competitive process. This will include a nationwide advertisement and use of the Renewed Hope Portal to collect Expressions of Interest from the public,” the minister said.
He added that some units would also be reserved for government use.
On his part, EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, said the development reflects the government’s resolve to ensure that recovered proceeds of crime are transparently managed and reinvested for public benefit.
“It’s essential to show Nigerians that recovered assets will be used transparently and not re-looted,” he noted.