- * As SERVICOM Commends EFCC On Handling of Naira Abuse
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CelestineOkaf11
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, June 7, 202 ordered the final forfeiture of every asset of NOK University, Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen Event Center 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 pursuant to 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.
Iheanacho, through diligent submission and evidence before the court, established the facts that Anthony Hassan, a former Director of Finance and Accounts, DFA, in the Federal Ministry of Health, built NOK University using proceeds of unlawful activities traced to him.
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 also forfeited include Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen Event Center and Gwasmyen International Hotel in Kaduna State.
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.
Delivering judgment on the matter on Friday, Justice Abdulmalik held that “the Apex court has held that any person who lives above his means owes the society some explanations. The burden lies on the accused to justify properties acquired which are disproportionate to his known legitimate earnings. It is in law that forfeitures are hinged on preponderance of evidence”.
“Again, I hold that the respondent has failed woefully in tilting the scale of evidence in his favor. It is a principle of law that oral evidence cannot contradict or supersede documentary evidence because documentary evidence speaks for itself”, she said.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture of the assets on June 1, 2022.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer and National Coordinator of Service Compact with all Nigerians, SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on its deft and professional handling of issues involved in currency mutilation, racketeering and other instances of Naira Abuse.
She gave the commendation in Abuja on Friday, June 7, 2024 while on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede at the corporate headquarters of the Commission. According to her, the operational dynamism of the EFCC has succeeded in breaking age-long tradition of spraying of Naira notes across the country, “ with the attendant effects of respect and dignity being accorded our national currency”. “ The EFCC has changed that aspect of our culture. Today, across the country, Nigerians no longer spray, staple, mutilate or do any dishonourable thing to the Naira. The symbol of our economy is now being respected”
Speaking on the purpose of her visit, Akajemeli said her team was in the Commission to seek closer and stronger collaboration and continued effectiveness of the Servicom Unit in the EFCC, stating that EFCC has done well in service delivery. She particularly applauded the Commission on its reception, investigation and interface with the public, pointing out that “ there are appreciable and noticeable improvements in the works of the EFCC”.
The Servicom’s boss pointed out that her agency, as the service delivery arm of government, would always monitor public and private institutions to ensure that Nigerians derive optimal satisfaction from them. She charged the EFCC to continue on its path of “excellence and commitment to global best practices in its operations”.
Responding, EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede, represented by Director of Investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol, appreciated the Servicom National Coordinator for her visit and understanding of the workings of the EFCC.
He assured her that the Commission, being a frontline anti-corruption agency, has a cream of professionals that continually adhere to Standard Operating Procedures in its mandate and with great respect for global best practices.
He particularly stated that the EFCC placed high premium on service delivery with the Servicom Unit as a vital Unit. Chukkol assured the team of EFCC’s continued adherence to the rule of law , stressing that Olukoyede is serious about doing things rightly.
“We handle and respect petitioners highly each time they come with their petitions. Some of the feedback you may be getting against us is when they want us to do what is not within our mandate or ambit of the law and when they don’t get it, they complain,” he said. NNL.
