We’ll never allow re-looting of recovered assets again – EFCC Chair

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Nigeria’s apex anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has assured Nigerians that it will never again allow previously looted assets by corrupt individuals to be re-looted.

The Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, gave this assurance during his visit to the newly established Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Kaduna State.

The university’s facilities were taken over by the Federal Government following a court order for the forfeiture of what was previously a privately owned institution.

Nok University, founded in 2021 by Anthony Hassan, a former Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Health, was forfeited in June 2024.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, issued a final order of forfeiture after finding that Hassan had used illicit public funds to acquire the university and related assets, which included a water factory, hotel, and event center.

During his visit, the EFCC Chairman stated that good governance is achievable in Nigeria, emphasizing that Nigerians must benefit from the proceeds of accountability.

He said, “This is a testimony that good governance is a possibility in Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given us a mandate to ensure the delivery of good governance, providing leadership through actions and words.

“Never in the history of this country will we allow recovered assets to be re-looted again. This is a testimony of accountability, transparency, and the judicious use of recovered assets. Nigerians deserve to enjoy the proceeds of accountability, and that is why we decided to give this back to the people. After recovery, the immediate community must be the first beneficiaries. We appreciate the leadership of Mr. President because this has not occurred before.”

He further mentioned his recent trip to Bayelsa State to commission projects funded by money recovered from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). “Ordinarily, this was not part of the EFCC’s mandate, but because those projects were built with proceeds of crime, this is what we will be doing going forward.

“The President directed that we hand over the Kachia project to the Ministry of Education, which we did openly at the Villa. I promised at that event that we would ensure the facility is used as the President has directed. That is why we are here today to show Nigerians that the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, is a reality.”

He urged skeptics who doubt the effectiveness of the anti-corruption war to recognize this achievement as evidence that the anti-corruption initiative is working for the benefit of Nigerians. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the EFCC with the opportunity to function effectively, and he praised Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung, and other stakeholders for their commitment to realizing the Federal University.