Pelumi Olajengbesi, Abuja-based lawyer, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to maintain oversight on the disbursement of the 753 duplexes recently handed over to the Federal Ministry of Housing, warning that a lack of transparency could allow government cronies to corner the assets.
In a statement on Wednesday, Olajengbesi praised EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede for what he described as a transparent approach to recovering assets, including the large housing estate recovered from a former top government official last December.
“Special commendation to the EFCC boss Ola Olukoyede for his transparent and selfless disposition in the recovery of loots so far,” Olajengbesi stated.
He acknowledged Olukoyede’s decision to hand over the housing units to the Ministry of Housing as a step in the right direction, particularly in tackling Nigeria’s persistent housing deficit. In December, Olajengbesi had publicly urged the EFCC to allocate the recovered property to doctors and low-level civil servants in need of accommodation, especially those approaching retirement.
However, the lawyer stressed that the EFCC’s role should not end with the handover. Citing entrenched corruption and lack of accountability in public institutions, he warned that without strict oversight, the duplexes might only benefit individuals close to power.
“However, the work of the anti-graft agency is not done with the hand over to the Ministry of Housing. Given the intractable corruption and lack of transparency and accountability that has become an ugly trademark in most ministries of government, the EFCC should painstakingly monitor the allocation of the recovered loot. This would go a long way to ensuring that cronies of government officials are not the only ones who would usurp the recovered duplexes,” he said.
Olajengbesi further recommended the formation of an independent committee to oversee the distribution process. According to him, the committee should include certified estate valuers, auditors, civil society groups, respected activists, lawyers, religious leaders, diligent EFCC officers, and officials of the Housing Ministry.
“Also, an independent committee should be set up to include certified estate valuers, auditors, civil society organisations, respected activists, lawyers, religious leaders, diligent EFCC officers and officials of the Housing Ministry. This is to ensure high-level transparency and accountability in the process,” he added.
The EFCC, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, formally handed over the recovered property located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja, to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa. The estate, measuring 150,500 square metres, contains 753 units of duplexes and apartments. The recovery followed a final forfeiture order issued by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court, Abuja, on December 2, 2024.
