EFCC Chairman: Many Abandoned Abuja Estates Linked to Corrupt Civil Servants

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that numerous abandoned estates in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are owned by civil servants who illicitly acquired public funds.

Speaking on Wednesday, August 6, at a policy dialogue organised by Law Corridor, themed “Critical Issues Affecting Nigeria’s Real Estate Ecosystem,” Olukoyede stated that several of the estates have been left incomplete or deserted for over a decade.

He disclosed that the EFCC has established a special task team to inspect such properties, not just in Abuja but nationwide.

“I have set up the team. We will begin visiting all the estates across Nigeria. We want to identify property ownership. You would be surprised that some of these estates have been left abandoned for 10 to 20 years. The developers initiate the project, then leave it midway,” he said.

“Our investigations show that many of these properties were financed by civil servants who diverted public funds. Once they exit public office and their illegal income ceases, they abandon the projects. The developers are then left seeking new investors to complete the work.”

Olukoyede noted that the EFCC has recently pursued the forfeiture of at least 15 such estates and continues to receive intelligence on more cases.

“Some of you in this room may even be linked to these properties. But soon, we may meet in court. We cannot reform the real estate sector while allowing such misconduct to persist. That said, we recognize that some of you operate with legitimate capital,” he added.

The EFCC chairman also cautioned legal practitioners and real estate developers against aiding individuals involved in money laundering, urging them not to serve as enablers of financial crimes.