Pelumi Olajengbesi, a lawyer based in Abuja, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor closely the process of disbursing 753 recovered duplexes that the agency recently handed over to the Federal Ministry of Housing.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Olajengbesi praised EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede for his transparency in managing the assets retrieved from a former high-ranking government official last December.
He commended Olukoyede for responding to the call to distribute the recovered properties to Nigerians, thereby helping to address the housing deficit in the country.
Olajengbesi had previously requested that the EFCC allocate the properties to doctors and low-level civil servants, who often struggle to secure housing, especially upon retirement. However, he warned that the EFCC’s job is not yet finished.
He cautioned that without proper oversight in the distribution process, only the associates of those in power would benefit from the recovered assets.
Olajengbesi said, “Special commendation to the EFCC boss Ola Olukoyede for his transparent and selfless disposition in the recovery of loots so far.
“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.
“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.”
Olukoyede on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 handed over the 753 units of houses recovered by the Commission at Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa.
The property, measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments, was recovered based on a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Abuja on Monday, December 2, 2024.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE