The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has taken possession of a 753-unit housing estate previously owned by embattled former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

According to the ministry, the property was formally handed over by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday at its headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.

The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Salisu Haiba, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has taken delivery of the 753 Housing Units Abuja housing estate of former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” the statement said.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the EFCC for its unwavering commitment to asset recovery and the fight against corruption.

“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.

He revealed that the Ministry, in partnership with the EFCC, will conduct a joint familiarization tour to evaluate the current condition of the estate.

“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 stated.

“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.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede, underscored the handover’s symbolic and practical importance, stating that it reflects the government’s firm commitment to the fight against corruption.

“It is important for us to demonstrate to Nigerians that whatever proceed of crime that we had 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 stated.