The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has officially received control of a 753-unit housing estate in Abuja that was formerly linked to the embattled ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The estate was handed over by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a formal event held at the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
The Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Salisu Haiba, confirmed the handover in an official statement. The property, consisting of residential units, was reportedly seized during the EFCC’s investigations into corruption allegations involving Emefiele.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for its ongoing work in tracking and recovering stolen public assets. He noted the handover as a meaningful step in the government’s plan to turn confiscated properties into resources that directly benefit Nigerians.
“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 said.
He also announced that the ministry would conduct detailed structural and safety inspections of the estate before any sales take place. This will involve a joint assessment with the EFCC to ensure that the homes are safe for occupancy.
Dangiwa further noted that the units will be offered for sale to both the general public and for specific government-related housing needs. The sales will be carried out through a transparent process, including open advertisements and registration via the Renewed Hope Housing 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, Ola Olukoyede, who was also present at the ceremony, pointed out the importance of making recovered assets work for the country.
“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 stated.
