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Corruption Proceeds: Tinubu meets EFCC chairman, housing minister on how to manage, dispose of seized properties

Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and housing minister Muttaqha Darma have met with President Bola Tinubu to review the management and disposal of seized houses by the anti-graft agency across the country.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the presidency, the meeting reviewed the management of seized residential properties in line with the principles of transparency and accountability.

The meeting followed the anti-graft agency’s recovery of assets suspected to have been acquired unlawfully.

One such recovery was 753 housing units from a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The forfeited estate is located on a parcel of land measuring 150,462.86 square metres at plot 109, Cadastral Zone, CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

On July 15, the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, also ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties, including a university, linked to a former attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, to the federal government.

According to the ruling, Mr Malami could not prove that the housing facilities were secured through legal means.

In May, the court ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties linked to a former deputy petroleum minister, Timipre Sylvia. The EFCC alleged the assets were suspected proceeds of illegal activities.

Some of the assets are four blocks of terraces at Dakibiyu; a duplex with penthouse and office complex at No. 3, Niger Street, MStreet; one standalone duplex at Villa 1, Unit 1, Palm Springs Estate, Mpape; and a block of flats with 10 units of flats at No. 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.