Many abandoned estates in Abuja owned by civil servants who stole public funds – EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that many abandoned estates in Abuja are owned by corrupt civil servants who used stolen funds to acquire them.
Speaking at a policy dialogue on Nigeria’s real estate sector on August 6, Olukoyede stated that some of these estates have been deserted for over a decade. He disclosed that the EFCC has set up a special team to inspect such properties and has already filed for the forfeiture of about 15 estates.
He also cautioned lawyers and real estate developers against aiding money laundering activities.
“I have set up the team. We will start visiting all the estates, not only in Abuja but across Nigeria. We want to know who owns what. It will shock you that some of these estates have been abandoned for 10 to 20 years. They just take it to a level, and they abandon it.
”Nobody knows what is going on. What we have been able to gather is that most of these estates were funded by civil servants who have stolen money.
”The moment they leave public service, and the money is no longer coming, they abandon the estate. Then, the developer will start looking for investors to support them to complete the project.
“We have gotten more intelligence, too. Some of you sitting in this room, probably some of those estates belong to you. But very soon, we expect to meet you in court because there is no way we will develop this sector if we continue with that attitude. I know some of you have your genuine source of capital.”
