FG warns public against scammers selling Emefiele’s seized properties
- The federal government has denied giving any private company the authority to sell 753 houses linked to former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele, urging the public to avoid falling for scams
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Emefiele with illegally acquiring the properties, which were seized from a former senior government official
- The government plans to sell the estate to Nigerians with low and moderate incomes, but Emefiele has sought an injunction to prevent any changes until his appeal is heard
Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.
The federal government claimed that it had not given a private company the authority to sell the 753 homes that were purportedly held by Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the former head of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
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A statement from the Federal Ministry of Housing cautioned the public against falling for scammers and suggested that they speak with Ministry representatives directly instead.
The statement read in part:
“The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development wishes to categorically inform the general public that it had not appointed or given sale rights to any company or consultant to coordinate the sale of the 753 houses seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), linked to the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele.
“The disclaimer became necessary against the backdrop of a claim by a company named Pink Synergy Global Company Limited, that it had been appointed as official auctioneers for the sale of the 753 units of houses by the Federal government.”
According to the government, the business had regrettably sent introduction letters and proposals to gullible Nigerians and organisations, requesting that they submit expressions of interest in buying the homes.
“The copy of the Pink Synergy Global Company Limited letter, sighted by the ministry, had one Yashim Kejang, Chief Executive, as the signatory. For the avoidance of doubt, no sale of the 753 units of houses has commenced by the Ministry. The Ministry is informing the public that it will give a clear and adequate announcement regarding the sale as well as strategy outlined for the sale of the houses, as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
“The public is advised to direct all inquiries to the ministry through the departments of Public Building and Housing Development, and Press and Public Relations, for clarification before committing any resources.
Recall how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Emefiele with stealing and controlling billions of naira in proxy accounts, as well as illegally acquiring the aforementioned housing estates.
In the charge, CR/350/25, dated Friday, May 30, 2023, the EFCC accused Emefiele of conspiring with an allegedly at-large individual, Eric Ocheme, to obtain the property and funds.
The property, which is 150,462.86 square meters in size, is said to be situated in Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, FCT, Abuja.
Previously, the EFCC acquired a forfeiture order from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, and retrieved the estate from an unidentified former senior government official.
Emefiele submitted a motion as an interested party in the case through his attorney, A.M. Kotoye (SAN).
Disappointed, he filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal in Abuja, hoping to have the forfeiture order from the High Court overturned.
Source: Getty Images
The Federal Government currently owns the estate and has revealed plans to sell it to Nigerians with low and moderate incomes.
However, Emefiele submitted a notice of injunction, requesting that the government hold off on making any changes to the property until his appeal was considered.
Emefiele was named as the only defendant in an eight-count allegation brought by the EFCC, which claimed that he knowingly handled property that was likely obtained illegally.
FG's Portal Nigerians can apply to buy Emefiele's 753 duplexes
Legit.ng reported that the Federal Government is preparing to put up for sale a massive 753-unit housing estate linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The government promises to sell to low and middle-income Nigerians.
The property, which spans over 150,000 square metres and comprises various housing types including duplexes and flats, was recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in December 2024 following a final forfeiture order issued by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court.
Source: Legit.ng
