The Youth Arise Movement (YAM) Nigeria has called for the government to allocate the 753 duplexes seized from former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele to the nation’s Armed Force instead of the initial plan of auctioning them.
YAM detailed its message in a press release signed by the Convener, Comrade Ademola Babatunde Abidemi, on Wednesday, urging the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, to allocate the confiscated properties to military personnels who have for years suffered accommodation shortages.
“It is my respectful opinion that rather than selling the duplexes, the Government should allocate them to the brave men in the armed forces,โ said Abidemi.
โMany of them have suffered from accommodation shortages for years. Providing them with these homes will not only ease their hardship but will also significantly boost their morale and operational efficiency.โ
“On hindsight, I am apprehensive about the touted transparency in this proposed sale. Given the history of fraud and exploitation in similar past exercises, it is only a matter of time before the EFCC might again be called upon to investigate another round of asset mismanagement,โ the Convener warned.
Speaking further, Abidemi urged the presidency to strike an affiliation between the seized estate and his Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that such a step would mark a landmark achievement in national security and welfare reform.
Additionally, he clarified that the allocation of these housing properties to armed forces at subsidized rates, with a gradual deduction of costs from salaries would ensure fairness and long-term security for Nigeriaโs military families.
โThis will be the first time in the history of this country that a civilian President has made such a bold move for the benefit of our uniformed personnel. It will send a strong message of appreciation and recognition to the people who defend our nation,โ he said.
The estate, located in Abujaโs Lokogoma district, was forfeited to the federal government following a court ruling after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) linked it to Emefiele and his associates, alleging that it was acquired through proceeds of financial crimes.
The 753 duplexes were officially handed over by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Ministry of Housing on May 20, 2025, during a brief ceremony held at the Ministryโs headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
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