The Federal Ministry of Housing has announced that the internal committee assigned to assess a 753-unit housing estate in Abuja—reportedly linked to embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele—is finalizing its report.
According to The PUNCH, a senior official of the Ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, clarified that the review is an internal exercise and is not connected to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s ongoing investigation into Emefiele’s alleged financial misconduct.
“The internal committee is almost through with its assignment,” the official disclosed. “While there is no fixed date for submission, the report is expected to be ready soon. Once completed, it will be submitted to the Minister of Housing, who will then forward it to the President.”
The official emphasized that the Ministry’s mandate does not include any legal proceedings against the former CBN chief.
“The matter involving Emefiele is with the EFCC. Our committee is focused on evaluating the estate in terms of completed units, quality of work, and what’s left to be done. That’s strictly within the Ministry’s scope,” the source added.
The estate, which was seized by the EFCC, is central to the corruption allegations levelled against Emefiele, who is accused of diverting public funds during his time at the apex bank.
Following the seizure, the Ministry of Housing constituted a committee to independently assess the estate. The aim, according to officials, is to verify the scale of work done, determine the number of habitable units, and recommend what is needed for full completion.
“The Ministry’s role is limited. Once the report is handed to the Minister and, subsequently, to the Presidency, any further action—including decisions about the property’s sale or continued seizure—will be determined at that level,” the official reiterated.
Meanwhile, Emefiele’s legal representatives have petitioned the Minister of Housing, urging the government to suspend plans to dispose of the estate pending the conclusion of an appeal already filed in court.
“We are aware of proposed plans to put the estate up for sale. However, we have already served an appeal notice and obtained an injunction on the matter,” the legal team stated in a letter.
Despite the ongoing legal tussle, the Federal Government has expressed intentions to make the estate available for purchase by low- and middle-income earners as part of its broader housing policy.
The Ministry, however, insists that its committee’s role is strictly administrative and not related to Emefiele’s case. “We’re only concerned with assessing the estate. What happens next is up to the Presidency and relevant legal authorities,” the official concluded.