In a landmark move underscoring Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, formally handed over 753 recovered housing units to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The estate, located at Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District in Abuja, spans 150,500 square metres and comprises duplexes and other residential apartments.
The handover followed a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on December 2, 2024. Speaking during the ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, emphasized that the recovery and transparent handover of the property demonstrate the Commission’s resolve to ensure that looted assets are not only retrieved but also responsibly utilized.
Transparency and Accountability in Asset Recovery by EFCC
Mr. Olukoyede highlighted that the EFCC remains firmly committed to accountability and transparency in its asset recovery and disposal processes. “This handover is a testament to our pledge to Nigerians that recovered proceeds of crime will be used in ways that benefit the nation,” he stated. “We will not allow looted assets to be looted again.”
He added that one of the pillars of a successful anti-corruption campaign is the effective deprivation of criminals from enjoying proceeds of crime. “We must show Nigerians that the fight against corruption is real and achievable,” Olukoyede said. “It is not just about arrest and prosecution; it is also about ensuring that stolen wealth is returned to the public domain.”
Tinubu’s Anti-Corruption Mandate Applauded
The EFCC Chairman used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the anti-corruption agenda. According to Olukoyede, the current administration’s posture has provided the political will needed to pursue high-profile recoveries and ensure their application for public good.
“This handover is not just symbolic,” he said, “it signifies that the government is serious about recovering and reinvesting stolen wealth to benefit citizens, especially in critical sectors like housing and infrastructure.”
Housing Minister Pledges Productive Use of Estate
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, received the property on behalf of the ministry and expressed appreciation to the EFCC for its consistent and diligent efforts. He described the handover as “a significant milestone in our collective fight against corruption and our mission to provide affordable housing for Nigerians.”
Dangiwa noted that the housing units would be repurposed in a manner that directly benefits the Nigerian people. He announced that a joint familiarization tour of the estate will be conducted by officials from both the EFCC and the Ministry to assess the structural state of the property before it is put to use.
Recovered Assets to Bolster Housing Development
The recovered estate is expected to play a key role in expanding Nigeria’s affordable housing stock, a critical area in the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development plans to integrate the estate into ongoing housing initiatives targeting low- and middle-income earners.
With the handover, the EFCC reinforces its position as a frontline agency not only in combating corruption but also in ensuring that ill-gotten wealth is returned to the people. The move has been widely lauded by civil society and governance watchdogs as a model for institutional synergy and public asset restitution
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