The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has warned Nigerians against fraudulent claims surrounding the recently confiscated 753-unit housing estate allegedly linked to former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry clarified that it has not commenced any process for the sale of the estate, which it took over from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a few days ago.
According to the Ministry, scammers are already circulating fake offers, claiming to have access to purchase slots from the Ministry.
“These fraudsters are reportedly demanding N500,000 from unsuspecting Nigerians for a non-existent ‘Expression of Interest’ form.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry has just taken over the estate from the EFCC as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The houses will be completed and fully serviced with infrastructure before being offered to the public or allocated for special government needs,” the statement said.
The statement also quoted the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, to have announced plans to set up a technical committee to assess the state of the buildings, conduct integrity tests, and determine the infrastructure requirements for making the estate livable.
“Only after this assessment will a formal disposal strategy be announced”, the statement added.
The Ministry stressed that any genuine sale or allocation process will be publicly and transparently announced, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
“Members of the public are advised to confirm any information directly from the Ministry through the Departments of Public Building and Housing Development, or the Press and Public Relations Unit,” it said.
The Ministry also reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in all housing-related interventions, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and disregard any unofficial communication.
“Do not fall victim to fraudsters. Rely only on verified updates from the Ministry,” the statement stated.
