A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, has ruled for the permanent forfeiture of Sunflower Hotel Ltd in Kaduna State. The property is linked to a former Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof Vincent Tenebe, and has been declared as proceeds of unlawful activities by the court.
The forfeiture order was issued following a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and moved by counsel F.O. Dibang. The court had initially granted an interim preservation order for the hotel on February 16 and directed the EFCC to notify the public about the order.
An EFCC operative’s affidavit revealed details of conspiracy, theft, diversion of public funds, and breach of trust involving individuals connected to the misappropriation of funds from the National Open University. The investigation uncovered a trail of diverted funds leading to the acquisition and completion of Sunflower Hotel Ltd.
The EFCC presented evidence linking Prof Vincent Ado Tenebe to the funds used in acquiring the hotel, which was previously incomplete and owned by another individual. Despite publication and compliance with court orders, no contest against the forfeiture was raised during the specified period.
In its argument for final forfeiture, the EFCC emphasized the importance of allowing the Federal Government to take control of the property in the interest of the National Open University. The case was marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/33/2024, with the EFCC listed as the applicant and Sunflower Hotel Ltd identified as the respondent.