The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over 753 recovered housing units in Abuja to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The estate was linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
A court had ordered the final forfeiture of the estate in December 2024. The property, located on Plot 109 in Lokogoma District, covers 150,500 square metres. EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, led the handover ceremony on Tuesday at the Ministry’s headquarters.
Olukoyede said the estate includes duplexes and apartments recovered under a court order. He assured Nigerians that the EFCC would put all recovered assets to public use.
“This shows our commitment to prevent looted assets from being looted again,” he said. “Those who steal public wealth must not enjoy it.”
He also praised President Bola Tinubu for backing the fight against corruption.
Ministry to Sell Recovered Property
The Ministry of Housing confirmed receiving the estate. Press Director, Salisu Haiba, said the EFCC handed over the keys at the Mabushi office.
Minister Ahmed Dangiwa called the recovery a major step in fighting corruption. He announced plans to inspect the buildings and infrastructure to ensure safety.
“We will conduct thorough checks and then sell the units to the public,” he said. “Sales will follow a transparent process using the Renewed Hope Portal.”
Some units will serve special government needs, he added.
EFCC’s Largest Asset Recovery
This estate marks the EFCC’s biggest single-asset recovery since its creation in 2003. EFCC initially withheld the suspect’s name, but court documents later confirmed the property belonged to Emefiele.
The court ruled that the estate was likely built with stolen funds. Emefiele failed to prove it was lawfully acquired.
The EFCC said the process followed the law under its Establishment Act and the Nigerian Constitution. Olukoyede stressed that asset recovery remains a key tool in fighting corruption.
“If we let suspects access stolen funds, they will use them to fight back,” he said.
