Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of NOK University, Other Properties To EFCC

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of NOK University and other properties linked to Anthony Hassan.

Hassan was the former Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) at the Federal Ministry of Health.   

The order was given by Justice Zainab Abubakar on Wednesday.

The order comes following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged crime of financial fraud.

According to a statement made available via the EFCC official Facebook page, the forfeited properties were acquired illegally.

The statement which was made available shortly after the court order read that:

"The University, built by a former Director of Finance and Accounts, DFA, in the Federal Ministry of Health, Anthony Hassan, was suspected to have been built from the proceeds of unlawful activities traced to its owner.

"Hassan, who was a DFA in the ministry between 2016 and 2019 allegedly built the University through fraudulent means. Physical assets of the University forfeited include Senate building, ICT building, Faculty of Medicine building, Science Deanery building, two Academic buildings , a Faculty Hall and other buildings.

"Other properties traced to Hassan which are also forfeited in the interim are Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen Event Center and Gwasmyen International Hotel in Kaduna." 

According to the EFCC, it's 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 court order also directed that the information on the interim forfeiture be published on national dailies to make those interested in the properties abreast of the development within 14 days and prove why it should not be forfeited to the federal government.

The court hearing was further adjourned till 5th October, 2022.