The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pledged to safeguard recovered assets from being misappropriated again.
This assurance was given by the Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja. The announcement accompanied the official handover of 753 housing units, recently recovered by the EFCC, to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede formally handed over the estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja spanning 150,500 square metres and comprising 753 duplexes and apartments—to Minister Ahmed Dangiwa in a brief ceremony.
The property was recovered following a final forfeiture order issued by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on December 2, 2024.
Oyewale stated that the transfer reflects the government’s dedication to combating economic and financial crimes. Olukoyede emphasized that the EFCC remains committed to ensuring transparency in asset recovery and disposal.
“This handover is part of our effort to show Nigerians that proceeds of crime recovered through our operations will be handled transparently,” he said. “We will not allow looted assets to be looted again.”
Olukoyede added that a vital part of the anti-corruption drive is ensuring that individuals who embezzled public funds are denied the opportunity to enjoy the proceeds of their crimes.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support in the fight against corruption.
In response, Minister Dangiwa lauded the EFCC for its consistent efforts in asset recovery and praised the transfer as a “significant milestone” in ensuring recovered assets serve public interests.
He also announced that the Ministry, in collaboration with the EFCC, would soon carry out a joint inspection of the estate to assess its structural condition.