The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over the 753 housing units recovered from the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in Abuja to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, handed over the housing units during a brief ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja on Tuesday.
The property, measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 units of duplexes and other apartments, was recovered based on a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, on Monday, December 2, 2024.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Olukoyede reiterated the Commission’s commitment to accountable asset recovery and disposal modalities.
He explained that such actions are intended 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”.
The EFCC boss continued: “It is important for us to emphasise to Nigerians that the fight against corruption can work and we can really make it work and one of the key factors that actually propels the impact of the fight is the need for us to ensure that those who have stolen our commonwealth are not allowed to enjoy the proceeds of crime. So, one of the critical factors of our works is that we deprive them of the proceeds of crimes.”
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s stance on the fight against corruption, affirming that the handover of the property signals the government’s seriousness in tackling economic and financial crimes and other corrupt practices.
On his part, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, lauded the EFCC for its sustained commitment to asset recovery and anti-corruption efforts.
Minister Dangiwa described the handover as a “significant milestone in our collective efforts and determination to ensure that recovered assets are put to productive use in ways that directly benefits the Nigerian people.”
He also assured that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Commission, will conduct a joint familiarisation tour of the estate to properly access its structural condition.
