The Federal Government has announced plans to offer for sale 753 housing units confiscated from the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development following a joint physical inspection of the estate by the Minister, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede.
The estate, which was linked to Mr Emefiele, was recovered by the EFCC in December 2024 and formally handed over to the Housing Ministry on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during the site visit, Minister Dangiwa revealed that the Ministry would immediately begin technical evaluations of the buildings, including integrity tests, to determine their structural soundness.
He added that, upon satisfactory assessment, the buildings would be completed and made available to Nigerians through the already active Renewed Hope Housing Portal.
“The government of the day is serious about fighting corruption,” the Minister affirmed, while commending the EFCC for what he described as a landmark recovery — one of the most significant in the country’s history in such a short period.
He further reiterated the Federal Government’s dedication to transparency and accountability, urging public office holders to desist from corrupt practices and Nigerians to continue supporting the EFCC’s recovery efforts.
In his remarks, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede noted that the inspection was necessary to provide visual confirmation of the estate, which many Nigerians had previously only seen through aerial footage.
“The essence of this visit is to show that it is real,” he said, reinforcing the commission’s commitment to openness and responsibility.
According to the EFCC, the estate — which spans over 150,000 square metres and comprises duplexes and various apartment types — represents the agency’s largest single asset recovery since its establishment in 2003.
The property was recovered following a final forfeiture order issued on 2 December 2024 by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
In April 2025, Mr Emefiele sought to reclaim the estate through the FCT High Court, alleging that the EFCC had concealed the forfeiture proceedings from him despite ongoing interactions regarding other legal matters. However, the court dismissed his application.
