The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has issued a stern warning to Nigerians regarding fraudulent schemes circulating false offers for the recently forfeited 753-unit housing estate linked to former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
In a statement released Saturday, the Ministry clarified that it has not initiated any sales process for the estate, which was formally handed over by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) just days ago.
The Ministry revealed that scammers are actively propagating fake offers, falsely claiming to have access to purchase slots from the Ministry. These fraudsters are reportedly demanding N500,000 from unsuspecting Nigerians for non-existent “Expression of Interest” forms.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry has just taken over the estate from the EFCC as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read. “The houses will be completed and fully serviced with infrastructure before being offered to the public or allocated for special government needs.”
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, announced plans to establish a technical committee. This committee will assess the current state of the buildings, conduct integrity tests, and determine the necessary infrastructure requirements to make the estate habitable.
“Only after this assessment will a formal disposal strategy be announced,” the Ministry emphasized.
The Ministry underscored its commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in all housing initiatives under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It advised the public to confirm any information directly through the Ministry’s Departments of Public Building and Housing Development or its Press and Public Relations Unit.
“Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and disregard any unofficial communication. Do not fall victim to fraudsters. Rely only on verified updates from the Ministry,” the statement concluded.
