The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede has handed over 753 units of houses recovered from the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
The property, measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments, was recovered based on a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Abuja on Monday, December 2, 2024
The property located at Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja was handed over to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
While handing over the property, Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the EFCC to accountable asset recovery and disposal modalities.
He added that such gestures are meant 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”.
“It is important for us to emphasise to Nigerians that the fight against corruption can work and we can really make it work and one of the key factors that actually propels the impact of the fight is the need for us to ensure that those who have stolen our commonwealth are not allowed to enjoy the proceeds of crime. So one of the critical factors of our works is that we deprive them of the proceeds of crimes”
Speaking, Dangiwa commended EFCC for its sustained commitment to asset recovery and anti-corruption.
He noted that the handover was a “significant milestone in our collective efforts and determination to ensure that recovered assets are put to productive use in ways that directly benefit the Nigerian people.”
Dangiwa assured that the Ministry would conduct a joint familiarization tour of the estate, alongside the EFCC to properly assess the structural state of the estate.