The Federal Ministry of Housing has announced plans to auction a 753-unit duplex estate in Abuja, previously linked to former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.
The estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, was handed over by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after being seized over allegations that it was acquired with illicit funds.
The EFCC officially transferred the property on Tuesday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja. Salisu Haiba, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, confirmed the handover in a statement.
“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has taken delivery of the 753 housing units in Abuja housing estate of former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” the ministry stated.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the EFCC’s asset recovery efforts and described the estate as a clear example of the government’s commitment to using recovered assets for public benefit.
“This marks a significant milestone in our collective determination to ensure that recovered assets are put to productive use in ways that directly benefit the Nigerian people. The housing estate recovered from the former Governor of the Central Bank is a case in point,” Dangiwa said.
Dangiwa added that a joint inspection with the EFCC would soon be conducted to assess the estate’s condition.
“We intend to carry out thorough integrity and structural assessments on all buildings and associated infrastructure to confirm their safety and suitability for habitation,” he explained.
He also revealed that the Ministry plans to carry out a detailed technical review to determine the cost and scope of completing roads, drainage, perimeter fencing, security posts, and recreational facilities within the estate.
The housing units will be sold transparently to both the public and for government use, with advertisements placed nationwide and applications managed via the Renewed Hope Portal.
“The ministry will offer the units for sale both 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,” Dangiwa added.
EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede said the handover shows the government’s commitment to accountability and the fight against corruption.
“It is important for us 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,” he said.
“We will monitor the completion and transparent disposal of the properties,” Olukoyede added.
However, the specific prices for the duplexes have not yet been disclosed.
According to court records, Emefiele and his associates allegedly acquired the estate using kickbacks from forex allocations and contract awards during his time at the CBN.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court granted a final forfeiture order in December 2024.
Emefiele’s attempt to reclaim the estate was dismissed in April 2025 for failure to file within the legal timeframe.
Housing experts have welcomed the government’s decision but urged transparency.
