The Federal Government has officially taken possession of a massive 753-unit housing estate in Abuja, formerly owned by embattled ex-Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, following its recovery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, and EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, jointly inspected the confiscated property. The estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, spans over 150,000 square metres and was handed over to the ministry in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to repurpose recovered assets for public benefit.

“This recovery is a landmark achievement—one of the most significant in recent history,” Dangiwa stated during the inspection. “The government is serious about fighting corruption. We are determined to ensure that national assets serve the Nigerian people.”

Dangiwa revealed that immediate technical assessments, including structural integrity tests, will commence. Once completed, the housing units will be made available for purchase through the Renewed Hope Housing Portal, already launched as part of the administration’s affordable housing agenda.

EFCC Chairman Olukoyede underscored the significance of transparency, saying: “What many Nigerians had seen previously were just aerial shots on television. This visit is to prove that it is real. The EFCC ensures seized properties are repurposed for public good.”

The estate will be integrated into the National Social Housing Programme, aligning with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. The initiative is designed to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit while promoting accountability in governance.

This comes after the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, dismissed an attempt by Emefiele to reclaim the property. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that the former governor failed to challenge the forfeiture within the stipulated legal timeframe.

In a statement earlier this week, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Salisu Badamasi Haiba, confirmed the handover and commended the EFCC’s commitment to asset recovery.

“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 statement read.

The recovery and repurposing of the estate signal a major stride in the Tinubu administration’s anti-corruption drive and housing reform efforts.