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FG PLANS INTEGRITY TEST ON 753 DUPLEXES SEIZED FROM EMEFIELE
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has announced plans to commence immediate structural integrity and technical assessments on 753 duplexes recovered from the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The housing minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, revealed the plan on Wednesday during a joint physical inspection of the confiscated housing estate, alongside the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC chairman had officially handed over the 753 housing units—located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja—to the Housing Ministry on Tuesday.
According to a statement by the ministry’s Press and Public Relations officer, Salisu Haiba, Dangiwa said the seizure demonstrated the seriousness of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in fighting corruption.
“The government is serious about combating corruption. Our plan is to conduct structural integrity tests before completing and listing the units for sale to Nigerians through the already active Renewed Hope Portal,” the minister stated.
He commended the EFCC’s efforts, describing the recovery as “one of the most significant seizures in the nation’s history within such a short period.”
Covering 150,500 square metres, the estate comprises duplexes and other apartments. It was recovered following a final forfeiture order issued on December 2, 2024, by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
EFCC Chairman Olukoyede explained that the joint inspection aimed to dispel public scepticism, emphasising that only aerial photos of the estate had previously circulated.
“The purpose of this visit is to show that the estate is real,” he said, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The estate is slated for integration into the Federal Government’s National Social Housing Programme, a key component of President Tinubu’s broader agenda for affordable housing and responsible governance.
Meanwhile, Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has called on the Federal Government to establish an independent committee to oversee the allocation of the duplexes.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Olajengbesi urged the formation of a committee comprising certified estate valuers, auditors, civil society organisations, respected activists, lawyers, religious leaders, dedicated EFCC officers, and Housing Ministry officials to ensure a fair and transparent disbursement process.
He praised EFCC Chairman Olukoyede for his transparent and selfless disposition in recovering stolen assets but warned that the fight against corruption does not end with the handover.
“Given the entrenched corruption and lack of transparency that have become common in many government ministries, the EFCC should meticulously monitor the allocation of the recovered property to prevent cronies of government officials from monopolizing these duplexes,” Olajengbesi said.
He stressed that without transparent procedures, the distribution of the houses risks being manipulated to benefit only a select few.
“Continued EFCC oversight, even after the official handover, is critical to safeguarding public interest,” he added.
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