FG to sell 753 duplexes seized from Emefiele to Nigerians

The Federal Government has announced plans to sell 753 housing units confiscated from former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to members of the public. This move was revealed in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, following a joint site inspection led by the Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede.

The housing estate, located in Abuja, was recovered by the EFCC in December 2024 and handed over to the Ministry after a directive from President Bola Tinubu. During the visit, Dangiwa confirmed that the Ministry would begin immediate technical assessments of the buildings, including structural integrity tests, to determine their readiness for completion and sale.

Once deemed structurally sound, the housing units will be made available to Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Portal, a government platform aimed at increasing public access to affordable housing. Dangiwa emphasised the administration’s dedication to transparency, noting that such asset recoveries demonstrate a clear stance against corruption.

“The government of the day is serious about fighting corruption,” the Minister stated, praising the EFCC for what he described as one of the most substantial recoveries in Nigeria’s recent history. He called on public officials to avoid corrupt practices and urged citizens to continue supporting the EFCC in its anti-corruption mandate.

Speaking during the inspection, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede stressed the importance of public awareness regarding the recovery. He noted that what had previously been broadcast were only aerial images, and that the inspection served to prove the estate’s existence and extent. According to the EFCC, the estate, which spans more than 150,000 square metres and comprises duplexes and other residential units, is the largest single asset recovery since the commission was established in 2003.

The property was forfeited to the federal government following a final order issued by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on December 2, 2024. In April 2025, Emefiele attempted to reclaim the estate, arguing that the EFCC had failed to inform him of the forfeiture proceedings despite his ongoing interactions with the agency concerning other charges. His application was ultimately dismissed by the court, upholding the federal government’s right to the asset.

The government’s decision to convert the recovered estate into public housing aligns with broader efforts to tackle corruption and make economic assets available for the benefit of Nigerian citizens.