The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed plans to sell the 753-unit estate confiscated from the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The disclosure followed the formal handover of the confiscated estate by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Federal Ministry of Housing on Tuesday in Abuja.
In a statement by Salisu Haiba, the Ministry’s director of Press and Public Relations, the Ministry confirmed it has received the property which will be opened for sale to the public soon, allowing Nigerians to own homes in a 753-duplex housing estate.
Ahmed Dangiwa, minister of Housing and Urban Development, commended the EFCC’s commitment to asset recovery and the fight against corruption, citing the commission’s efforts to ensure recovered assets are productively utilised to create value for all Nigerians.
He stated that the ministry will work in collaboration with the EFCC to assess the buildings in the estate to ascertain their safety and suitability for accommodation.
Also highlighting strategies that will be adopted to ensure utmost transparency and accountability in the sale, Dangiwa said:
“The ministry will offer the units for both sale 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.”
Olanipekun Olukoyede, EFCC Chairman, noted that the handover shows the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and also ensures that the public is adequately informed to prevent the recovered assets from being looted again.
He explained that the estate is situated on a parcel of land measuring over 150,000 square meters, located on Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja, and contains hundreds of apartments.
Olukoyede emphasized the commission’s dedication to work with the Ministry of Housing in completing the estate and ensuring the transparent sale of the properties.
