The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has officially taken over a housing estate consisting of 753 units, once allegedly owned by ex-CBN chief Godwin Emefiele.
The estate was recovered and handed over by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at an event held on Tuesday in Abuja.
In a statement issued by ministry spokesperson Salisu Haiba, Minister Ahmed Dangiwa commended the EFCC for its relentless pursuit of accountability and recovery of stolen assets.
“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 minister stated.
He stressed the significance of ensuring that such recovered properties are channelled toward public benefit.
“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 revealed plans for an on-site inspection involving both the ministry and EFCC to evaluate the estate’s structural soundness.
“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 explained.
He added that a portion of the housing units would be sold to Nigerians through a fair and transparent process that involves online registration and public advertisements.
“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,” Dangiwa said.
EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, emphasised the importance of transparency in the management of recovered properties.
“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 noted.