In a significant development in Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts, the Federal Government is set to auction 753 duplexes and apartments in Abuja, previously forfeited by former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele. This move follows a recent court ruling dismissing Emefiele's attempt to reclaim the vast estate.
Court Upholds Forfeiture of Massive Estate
On April 28, 2025, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, dismissed Emefiele's application to reclaim the estate located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District. The property, spanning 150,462.84 square meters, was previously secured through interim and final forfeiture orders obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in favor of the Federal Government.
Emefiele contended that he was unaware of the forfeiture proceedings, alleging that the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of a newspaper, making it difficult for him to respond. However, the court rejected this claim, stating that a half-page notice in a national newspaper could not reasonably be described as hidden.
EFCC's Largest Single Asset Recovery
The EFCC described the estate as the largest single recovery it has made since its establishment in 2003. Court documents revealed that Emefiele, through his associates, allegedly acquired the estate using proceeds from unlawful activities, including forex kickbacks. The anti-graft agency traced the property to Emefiele during investigations into alleged monumental fraud carried out during his tenure as CBN governor.
Calls for Transparent Auction and Public Benefit
Following the court's decision, the Housing Development Advocacy Network urged the government to auction the properties transparently and channel the proceeds into social housing for Nigerians. The Executive Director of the network, Festus Adebayo, emphasized that the auction should address the nation's housing deficit and serve as a step toward rebuilding trust in public institutions.
Similarly, human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi called on the government to allocate the forfeited duplexes to deserving medical doctors and civil servants as part of a mass housing scheme. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that the recovered assets benefit the public, especially those who have been deprived of affordable housing due to corruption.
The impending auction of the 753 forfeited duplexes in Abuja marks a significant milestone in Nigeria's fight against corruption. As the government moves forward with the sale, stakeholders emphasize the need for transparency and public benefit to ensure that the recovered assets contribute meaningfully to addressing the country's housing challenges.
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