By Peter Omopo – August 17, 2025
The Federal Government has refuted reports suggesting that the 753 housing units forfeited to it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are already up for sale, warning Nigerians against falling victim to fraudsters.
The houses, seized from former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, were officially handed over to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in May 2025. At the time, the Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa, announced that the units would eventually be sold to members of the public through a transparent and competitive process under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, in a statement on Saturday, the ministry clarified that no sales process has commenced. The disclaimer followed reports that a private company had been parading itself as the government’s appointed auctioneer, soliciting payments for “Expression of Interest” forms to buy the properties.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no sales of the 753 units of houses have commenced by the ministry. The public will be duly informed with clear announcements and a transparent sales strategy as directed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba, read.
Haiba urged Nigerians to disregard fraudulent proposals and direct all inquiries to the ministry’s Departments of Public Building and Housing Development and Press and Public Relations for clarification before committing funds.
The ministry stressed that any eventual sale of the houses would be open, competitive, and formally announced to the public.
