Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of the multimillion-naira Sunflower Hotel Ltd in Kaduna State to the Federal Government.
The hotel is linked to a former Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Vincent Tenebe.
The court’s final ruling followed a motion filed on June 21 and moved by F.O. Dibang, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
In his judgment, Justice Ekwo stated, “Order is hereby made forfeiting the property set out in the attached schedule, found in possession of the respondent, as properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The Federal High Court initially granted an interim preservation order for Sunflower Hotel Ltd on February 16.
This interim measure instructed the EFCC to publicize the court order within two weeks in a widely circulated newspaper and on its official website.
The aim was to alert any individuals or entities with potential claims to the property to step forward.
The background of this case dates back to December 2022 when EFCC received intelligence reports concerning alleged conspiracy, embezzlement, and diversion of public funds.
The investigation implicated Monday Onyeme, former Chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue and a former bursar at NOUN, along with Adamu Danlami, owner of Crossbill International Ltd. Both individuals are reportedly at large.
According to an affidavit submitted by Dare Opeyemi, an EFCC operative specializing in economic governance, Onyeme, during his time as bursar at NOUN, allegedly conspired with certain staff to funnel funds to companies in which he had interests. Notably, Crossbill International Ltd is said to have received a large portion of these funds.
Further investigation revealed that Crossbill International Ltd then transferred funds to multiple entities, including Wanone Investment Ltd, Tanadi Ltd, Namutane Foundation, and Sunflower Hotel Ltd.
To support its case, the EFCC provided account statements from several companies, including Blacksnow Ltd, Eno Global Services Nigeria Ltd, and Crossbill International Ltd, which showed a web of transfers and withdrawals.
During its investigation, the EFCC linked each entity named in the affidavit to Prof. Tenebe. The probe showed that a total of N275,081,896.09, sourced from Tenebe’s account, was allocated to finance the construction of Sunflower Hotel Ltd.
The hotel, initially an incomplete building, was reportedly acquired by Tenebe from his brother-in-law, Yakubu Mamman Akhagbeme, located in Kaduna.
Although Tenebe did not hold a formal position within Sunflower Hotel Ltd as either a director or shareholder, the EFCC investigation indicated he used alleged misappropriated funds from NOUN to complete the hotel’s construction. Documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission identified the hotel’s directors as individuals unrelated to Tenebe, further suggesting that ownership rested elsewhere, despite Tenebe’s significant financial involvement.
Following the February interim court order, the EFCC adhered to the court’s instructions, publishing notice of the case on March 5.
An affidavit of compliance was filed, confirming this action, and during the publication period, no parties claimed ownership of Sunflower Hotel Ltd.
In its motion for final forfeiture, the EFCC asserted that it is in the public interest for the Federal Government to assume full control of the hotel on behalf of NOUN. This would permit the property’s management to serve public benefit.
The case, recorded as FHC/ABJ/CS/33/2024, lists the EFCC as the applicant and Sunflower Hotel Ltd as the respondent. Located at Sunflower Crescent, along Unguwan Maigero Road in Narayi, Kaduna State, the hotel now become the property of the Federal Government as ordered by Justice Ekwo.
