Never Again Will Recovered Funds, Properties Be Re-looted – EFCC Boss

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has declared that recovered funds or properties will never again be allowed to be re-looted.

He stated this when he led the commission’s management on an inspection visit to the confiscated NOK University, Kachia, now Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.

It should be recalled that the Court ordered the final forfeiture of the private university to the Nigerian government in 2024 after the EFCC proved that the university was established with the proceeds of unlawful activities.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered the final forfeiture of every asset of NOK University, Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen Event Centre and Gwasmyen International Hotel in Kaduna State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, through its counsel Ekele Iheanacho, filed an order of final forfeiture of the said properties under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 44(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Through diligent submission and evidence before the court, Mr. Iheanacho established that Mr. Anthony Hassan, a former director of finance and accounts at the Federal Ministry of Health, built NOK University using proceeds of unlawful activities traced to him.

The university’s physical assets forfeited include the Senate building, the ICT building, the Faculty of Medicine building, the Science Deanery building, two Academic buildings, a Faculty Hall, and other buildings. Other properties also forfeited include the Gwasmyen Water Factory, the Gwasmyen Event Centre, and the Gwasmyen International Hotel in Kaduna State.

Addressing the management of the newly established Federal University, the anti-corruption boss said good governance is a possibility in Nigeria, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is providing good leadership that deserves commendation.

He disclosed that communities, local governments, states, and Nigeria will start enjoying the proceeds of crime, just like the property of the NoK University Kachia, which was forfeited to the Federal government and now handed over to the Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia.

Mr Olukoyede emphasised that the anti-corruption war is working, and the presence of government and governance with transparency and accountability is felt in Southern Kaduna.

He assured the university of the commission’s support when necessary, saying it was time for the good people of Southern Kaduna to take advantage of good governance.

“I want to see this university become one of the top 5 universities in Africa, but I want to advise that any form of vandalism should be avoided, the facilities should be protected for maximum use, and I hope to visit again when the academic session commences in September 2025”.

Earlier, the Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial district, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, commended the management office of the commission for yielding to the request to grant the forfeited Nok University to be used as the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.

“We are indeed grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and our Governor Senator Uba Sani for making the university become a reality, because for us, the establishment of this university is like a state creation to us”.

Also, the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Barnabas Qurix, commended the commission’s Chairman for the visit and solicited necessary support to enable the university to stand firm.