*Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, affirms the 753-unit housing estate the Commission recently seized from Godwin Emefiele, ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is the largest single asset recovery since the agency鈥檚 inception 2003

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that the 753-unit housing estate it seized from Mr. Godwin Emefiele, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is the largest single asset recovery since the agency鈥檚 inception 2003.

绿帽献妻 reports the confiscated massive properties, located in the Lokogoma district of Abuja, FCT, cover over 150,000 square metres, and include duplexes, as well as other apartment types.

Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of EFCC, who revealed this during a visit to the location of the sprawling estate affirmed that the statistics were real.

Olukoyede clarified that what Nigerians had previously seen on the television was merely an aerial view of the estate.

He declared: 鈥淭he essence of this visit is to show that it is real”, and not a facade.

The Executive Chairman of EFCC said that the Commission’s visit to the location in company with Ahmed Dangiwa, Honourable Minister for Housing and Urban Development, has underscored the transparency and accountability that guide the Commission鈥檚 operations in Nigeria.

It is recalled that the confiscated estate was recovered from Emefiele, following a final forfeiture order Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, issued December 2, 2024, in Abuja.

How Emefiele lost bid to reclaim housing estate

In April 2025, Emefiele had approached an FCT High Court in order to reclaim the 753-unit housing estate, which had already been forfeited to the Federal Government.

The ex-CBN Chief also accused the EFCC of “deliberately” concealing the forfeiture proceedings in court from him, despite frequent interactions with the agency regarding other pending charges.

However, the court dismissed his application in his attempt to regain ownership of the estate built with proceeds of corruption.

Minister: Government to sell units in housing estate to Nigerians

Following its final forfeiture to Nigeria, the Federal Government has said it will sell to the 753-unit housing estate Nigerian consumers.

Dangiwa, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, revealed this development in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Dangiwa along with Olukoyede had led a joint team on a physical site inspection of the seized housing estate.

Earlier, the EFCC had recovered the housing estate, previously linked to Emefiele, December 2024, but officially handed it over to the Ministry, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, according to report.

The Minister, during the inspection of the confiscated estate, in Abuja, had announced that the Ministry would immediately commence its technical assessments by conducting integrity tests on the buildings.

He noted that after successful evaluation, the uncompleted structures in the estate would be completed, and made available for sale to Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Portal, which is already operational.

On importance of transparency, accountability in public office

Underscoring the fact that the current administration is serious about tackling corruption on the system,

Dangiwa emphasised the Federal Government鈥檚 commitment to transparency and accountability.

He also urged public office holders to steer clear of corrupt practices.

The Minister further said: 鈥淭he government of the day is serious about fighting corruption.”

Commenting on the long haul, Minister lauded the EFCC leadership for what he described as “a landmark recovery”, and one of the most significant in the country’s history within such a short span of time.

Dangiwa as well urged Nigerians to maintain trust in the anti-graft Commission.

He solicit further support for the EFCC in its efforts at achieving more recoveries for the benefit of the citizenry.