Housing Minister Praises EFCC for Asset Recovery and Transfer

Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, has praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its commendable efforts in asset recovery nationwide, highlighting the significant recovery and handover of 753 housing units in the Lokogoma area of Abuja.

The Minister expressed his appreciation on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, during an on-site inspection of the property located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District. The site spans 150,500 square meters and consists of 753 housing units, which include duplexes and various apartments. This successful recovery followed a final forfeiture order issued by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on December 2, 2024.

During the property inspection, the Minister referred to the recovery as historic. "I want to commend the leadership of EFCC's Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, for this remarkable achievement," he stated. "This represents the largest single recovery of its kind in our country's history, with 753 housing units reclaimed in just about a year since his appointment. Many more recovery initiatives are underway, and we assure Nigerians that they can expect additional results. This will benefit all Nigerians." He encouraged the public to support the EFCC in its mission to eradicate economic and financial crimes.

"Nigerians should continue to place their trust in the efforts of the EFCC Chairman," he added. "His drive is bolstered by the goodwill of Mr. President, who has empowered him to perform his duties effectively. Nigerians can have faith in the EFCC and Mr. Olukoyede's capable leadership in achieving a corruption-free society." In his comments, Olukoyede reaffirmed the Commission's dedication to transparency and accountability in the management of recovered assets.

He noted that the inspection was a follow-up to the handover of the estate to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. "This inspection follows our meeting with the Honourable Minister yesterday about the handover of this recovered property. We wanted Nigerians to witness firsthand the positive impact of the anti-corruption fight. We've walked around for over an hour and have yet to fully explore the estate, emphasizing the scale of what has been recovered." He acknowledged that while 753 units were initially reported, the actual number may increase following remodeling and valuation. "The figures provided were based on architectural plans and preliminary assessments. After remodeling, we may uncover additional units.

However, the critical point is that this property now belongs to the Federal Government and will be utilized effectively." Olukoyede stressed that this recovery serves as a tangible outcome of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on leveraging anti-corruption measures to foster economic growth. "This recovery is a clear demonstration of the President's vision to use anti-corruption tools to boost the economy. Once renovation is completed, the Federal Government will determine the best course of action, which may include providing hardworking Nigerians with opportunities for affordable housing through a transparent and accountable process." The EFCC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to persistently combatting economic and financial crimes without bias or favoritism.