The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially given 753 houses in Abuja to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. These houses were taken from Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), because of issues related to corruption.
Where Are the Houses?
The houses are duplexes (two-story homes) and are located in the Lokogoma area of Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. The homes are not yet finished and still need work before people can move in.
Who Was Involved?
- Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the head of the EFCC, handed over the houses to
- Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, during a ceremony on Tuesday.
What Will Happen Next?
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has told the housing ministry to finish building the houses and sell them to the public in a clear and fair way. Minister Dangiwa said the ministry will:
- Check the buildings to make sure they are safe to live in.
- Finish roads, drainage, and other needed services in the estate.
- Create a uniform housing design to guide future owners.
- Sell the homes to Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Portal, using a transparent and open process.
How Did the Government Get the Houses?
In December 2024, a judge at the FCT High Court, Justice Jude Onwegbuzie, gave the final order that allowed the EFCC to take control of the estate. The EFCC said this was the biggest asset recovery since the agency was created in 2003.
Though the EFCC did not name who owned the houses at first, it was later revealed that they were linked to Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the former CBN governor.
What Did Emefiele Do?
In April 2025, Mr. Emefiele went to court to try and get the houses back. He said he didn’t know about the court’s decision to take the estate because the notice was hidden in a newspaper.
But the judge, Justice Onwegbuzie, said the notice was clearly published and that Mr. Emefiele had no strong reason for missing the deadline to respond. The court then rejected his request.
Now, the homes will be completed and sold to Nigerians who need places to live. The government says everything will be done openly, safely, and fairly, so that more Nigerians can benefit from this large housing project.
