FG to Auction Godwin Emefiele Abuja Estate with 753 Duplexes 

The Federal Ministry of Housing has announced that it will auction a massive 753-unit duplex estate in Abuja, which was previously linked to former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The estate is located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, in the Lokogoma District of Abuja.

The estate was officially handed over by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Ministry on Tuesday at its headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja. According to a statement by Salisu Haiba, Director of Press and Public Relations for the Ministry, the property was seized over allegations that it was acquired with illegal funds.

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

Housing Minister Ahmed Dangiwa praised the EFCC for its efforts in recovering assets, saying the estate would now serve the public good.

“This is a major step in our mission to ensure that recovered assets benefit ordinary Nigerians,” Dangiwa said. “The housing estate recovered from the former Governor of the Central Bank is a clear example.”

Dangiwa also revealed that a joint inspection will soon be carried out with the EFCC to check the condition of the estate. Structural and integrity tests will be done to make sure the houses are safe for people to live in.

“We plan to assess all the buildings and infrastructure to confirm they are fit for use,” he explained.

Additionally, the Ministry will carry out a full technical review to understand what is needed to complete internal roads, drainage systems, perimeter fencing, security outposts, and recreational spaces.

The housing units in the Emefiele Abuja estate auction will be made available to the public and for specific government use. Dangiwa promised that the sale process would be open, fair, and transparent.

“The ministry will offer the units for sale both to the public and for special government needs,” he stated. “We will advertise nationwide and use the Renewed Hope Portal, where interested Nigerians can submit their Expressions of Interest.”

This move is part of the government’s larger Renewed Hope Housing Programme, aimed at improving homeownership opportunities for Nigerians.

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EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, also spoke during the handover, stressing that the agency is committed to ensuring that recovered assets are not misused.

“We want Nigerians to see that recovered proceeds of crime will be used in a way that is open and accountable,” Olukoyede said. “It is not enough to recover looted assets—we must ensure they are not looted again.”

He added that the EFCC will continue to monitor the estate’s completion and the fairness of the sale process.

The property was linked to Emefiele through a court investigation, which alleged that he and some associates acquired it using illegal earnings, including kickbacks from foreign exchange allocations and contract awards during his time at the Central Bank.

A final forfeiture order was granted by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in December 2024. Emefiele’s legal bid to reclaim the estate was rejected in April 2025 because his application was filed outside the allowed time limit.

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