By Abiola Olawale
The Federal Government has announced plans to sell a 753-unit luxury housing estate in Abuja, previously seized from former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The announcement was made on Tuesday when the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede formally transferred ownership of the 753-unit estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone, CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, to the Minister of Housing, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
The estate, spanning 150,462.86 square meters, was allegedly linked to Emefiele as part of the EFCC’s largest asset recovery to date.
This was also disclosed in a statement signed by Salisu Haiba, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry.
“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has taken delivery of the 753 housing units in Abuja, recovered from the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, by the EFCC,” part of the statement reads.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development also commended the EFCC for its commitment to anti-corruption and asset recovery efforts.
“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,” Dangiwa was quoted as saying.
He noted that the ministry, in collaboration with the EFCC, will soon embark on a joint familiarization tour of the estate to assess its 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 added.
Dangiwa also announced that the housing units will be made available for sale both to the public and to meet special government needs.
“For the public sale component, we will adopt a transparent and competitive process. This will include a nationwide advertisement and the use of the Renewed Hope Portal where interested Nigerians can submit their Expressions of Interest,” he stated.
