Federal Government To Sell Seized 750 Luxury Duplexes In Abuja, Formerly Owned By Ex-CBN Governor Emefiele

In a bold move to recover stolen public assets and address Nigeria’s housing needs, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a sprawling estate of over 750 luxury duplexes in Abuja—confiscated from former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele—to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The properties will now be prepared for public sale under the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The formal handover was conducted on Tuesday by EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, who presented the estate to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa. The estate, reportedly located in a prime district of Abuja, had been under EFCC custody following the commission’s investigation into alleged large-scale corruption and misappropriation of public funds linked to Emefiele’s tenure at the apex bank.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman Olukoyede emphasized the EFCC’s commitment to asset recovery and restitution, highlighting this handover as a milestone in the agency’s renewed drive to ensure looted public assets are returned to benefit ordinary Nigerians.

“This is a strong message to those who believe they can exploit public office for personal gain,” Olukoyede stated. “The law is clear, and accountability will always prevail.”

In his remarks, Minister Dangiwa revealed that the estate will be put up for public sale as part of the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to address Nigeria’s growing housing deficit and ensure broader access to decent accommodation.

“These properties will be made available to Nigerians through a transparent, competitive process,” Dangiwa assured. “We will use the Renewed Hope Portal as the official digital platform for registration, bidding, and monitoring to ensure openness and fairness.”

The Minister added that priority may be given to civil servants, first-time homeowners, and vulnerable groups, though the details of the eligibility criteria and pricing will be released soon. He also noted that proceeds from the sales will go directly to the government treasury to recover misappropriated public funds.

This move is part of a broader effort by the Tinubu administration to reallocate recovered assets for public benefit, turning symbols of corruption into solutions for national challenges such as housing, infrastructure, and economic equity.

More details, including the portal launch date and application guidelines, are expected in the coming weeks.