Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has announced plans to sell 753 housing units in a high-end estate in Guzape, Abuja, which were allegedly acquired through proceeds linked to the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, made the disclosure during a visit to the property on Monday, revealing that the estate, valued at over N7 billion, was forfeited to the government following investigations by security agencies.
According to Dangiwa, the estate will now be repurposed and offered for sale to Nigerians, particularly targeting public servants, under the government’s Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme. He said the ministry will work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure a seamless conversion and disposal process.
“We are taking over this estate, which was confiscated by the Federal Government and handed over to us for public interest,” Dangiwa said. “We plan to remodel the estate and sell the units at affordable rates to eligible Nigerians.”
The estate, located in the upscale Guzape district of the Federal Capital Territory, comprises a mix of luxury residential units originally designed as part of a private development.
While Dangiwa did not mention Emefiele by name, sources in the housing ministry and anti-corruption agencies confirmed that the property was among assets linked to the ongoing probe into alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office by the former CBN chief.
Emefiele is currently facing multiple charges in court, including abuse of office and fraud. He was suspended from office by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 and later arrested by security operatives.
The Minister noted that the estate will be redesigned to align with the affordability goals of the Renewed Hope initiative, which aims to increase access to housing for low and middle-income Nigerians.
“This is not just about taking over property it’s about using every resource at the government’s disposal to improve lives and deliver on our promise of decent housing,” Dangiwa added.
The development marks a significant shift in the federal housing policy, blending anti-corruption recoveries with social intervention goals. The Ministry has said details on pricing, eligibility, and the application process for the homes will be announced in due course.