The Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, has granted the final forfeiture of NOK University, Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen Event Center, and Gwasmyen International Hotel, all located in Kaduna State, to the Nigerian government.
These assets, owned by Anthony Hassan, a former Director of Finance and Accounts in the Federal Ministry of Health, were adjudged to have been acquired through illicit means.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, confirms an earlier interim forfeiture order issued on June 1, 2022. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully argued that Hassan used proceeds from unlawful activities to establish and build these properties.
The assets include several buildings of NOK University such as the Senate building, ICT building, Faculty of Medicine building, Science Deanery building, two academic buildings, a faculty hall, and additional structures. Also forfeited are the Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen Event Center, and Gwasmyen International Hotel.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the commission’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, presented irrefutable evidence linking Hassan’s wealth to illicit activities. Investigations led by EFCC officer Adaora Asabe Oragudosi uncovered a web of criminal conspiracy, theft, abuse of office, and money laundering within the Federal Ministry of Health that pointed to Hassan.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik emphasized the legal requirement for individuals to justify properties that exceed their known legitimate income. She stated, “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.”
“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 further noted.
