The Federal Government has announced plans to auction 753 duplexes in Abuja, originally linked to former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The properties, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09 in the Lokogoma District, sit on over 150,000 square meters and were officially forfeited following a court order.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handed over the estate to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development after the Federal Capital Territory High Court issued a final forfeiture order on December 2, 2024.
The Ministry has since disclosed that comprehensive structural and technical assessments will be conducted before the units are made available for sale. The auction, according to officials, will be conducted through a transparent and competitive process via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal.
A portion of the units will also be reserved for special government needs.
However, the move has sparked debate. The Youth Arise Movement has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to allocate the duplexes to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, citing chronic accommodation shortages and the need to boost morale among military personnel. Public reactions have been mixed.
While some citizens welcomed the initiative as a positive step in repurposing recovered assets, others expressed concern over transparency and urged the government to prioritize ordinary Nigerians rather than political elites.
The EFCC, in its statement, reiterated that the auction aligns with the federal government’s anti-corruption stance and the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at ensuring that recovered properties serve public interest.
The development marks another milestone in the government’s efforts to recover and repurpose assets acquired through corrupt means. Picture from online web
