LunagisthubMany Abandoned Abuja Estates Owned By Corrupt Civil Servants — EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made a startling revelation about the state of abandoned estates in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. According to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, many of these estates are owned by civil servants who allegedly funded their construction with stolen public funds .
Some of these estates have been abandoned for over 10 to 20 years, with owners seemingly disappearing without explanation. The EFCC has identified a pattern where civil servants initiate these projects while in office, only to abandon them once they retire or exit public service and their illicit funds dry up .
To address this issue, the EFCC has set up a special team tasked with visiting and investigating abandoned properties across Nigeria, starting with Abuja. The agency plans to identify the true owners of these estates and take legal action, including filing for forfeiture of properties built with stolen funds. In recent times, the EFCC has already filed for the forfeiture of about 15 such estates
The EFCC chairman has warned lawyers and real estate developers against facilitating money laundering by assisting corrupt civil servants in hiding their illicit wealth. The agency is determined to tackle corruption in the real estate sector and ensure that those responsible are held accountable .
The EFCC’s investigation will not be limited to Abuja, as the agency plans to visit and investigate abandoned estates across Nigeria. This move aims to uncover the extent of corruption in the real estate sector and bring perpetrators to justice .
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