The Federal Government, FG, has begun the process of selling a 753-unit housing estate in Abuja, recovered from former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who is currently facing multiple financial crime charges.
The estate was officially handed over to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, marking a significant step in the government’s asset recovery and redistribution efforts.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Salisu Haiba, confirmed the transfer. He disclosed that the estate, located in the Federal Capital Territory, had been taken over at the ministry’s Mabushi headquarters.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, praised the EFCC for its diligence and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the recovered asset directly benefits Nigerians.
“This is a significant milestone. It reinforces our resolve to ensure that assets recovered from corrupt individuals are utilized in ways that deliver tangible benefits to the public,” Dangiwa said.
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He revealed that the ministry, in partnership with the EFCC, would embark on a joint inspection of the estate. The purpose of the tour is to carry out detailed structural and integrity assessments before the property is offered for sale.
Dangiwa added that the homes will be made available for both public acquisition and to serve specific government housing needs.
“For public sales, we will ensure a fair and transparent process,” he said. “This will include a nationwide advertisement campaign and the activation of the Renewed Hope Portal to enable interested Nigerians to express interest.”
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, while handing over the estate, emphasized the symbolic importance of the occasion in the fight against corruption.
“Assets recovered from illicit sources must be applied transparently to serve the people. We cannot allow looted assets to be re-looted,” Olukoyede stated.
The development comes amid ongoing legal proceedings against Emefiele, who is accused of financial mismanagement and abuse of office during his tenure as CBN governor.
NaijaParrots
