The federal high court sitting in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of NOK University and all of its assets said to be linked to one Anthony Hassan, a former director of finance and accounts at the federal ministry of health.
In a 2022 ruling on an ex parte motion marked
FHC/ABJ/CS/688/2022, and filed by Ekele Iheanacho, counsel for the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the federal high court had ordered that the
institution be temporarily forfeited to the federal government.
The commission had alleged that Hassan diverted public funds
with which he acquired the identified assets.
The EFCC also alleged that the former director diverted the
funds running into billions of naira through the government integrated
financial management information system (GIFMIS).
GIFMIS, an IT-based system for accounting and budget
management, was designed by the federal government to actualise integrated and
automated information systems and promote modernised fiscal processes.
In a statement on Saturday, the EFCC said it had filed an
order of final forfeiture of the said properties.
The statement said Iheanacho established before the court
the fact that Hassan built NOK University using proceeds of unlawful activities
traced to him.
Physical assets of the university forfeited include the
senate building, ICT building, faculty of medicine building, science deanery
building, two academic buildings, a faculty hall and other buildings.
The judge also ordered the interim forfeiture of Gwasmyen
water factory, Gwasmyen event centre and Gwasmyen international hotel, all said
to be linked to Hassan.
“The Commission, had, through its investigative Officer,
Adaora Asabe Oragudosi investigated some verified intelligence bordering on
criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering against
some staff of the Federal Ministry of Health where the properties ordered
forfeited were traced to the defendant,” the statement reads.
Delivering judgment on the matter on Friday, the court held
that the respondent failed woefully in tilting the scale of evidence in his
favour.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com