Ola Olukoyede: EFCC will stop re-looting of recovered assets

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the agency will ensure that recovered assets are not misappropriated again.

Speaking on Wednesday during a visit to the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Kaduna state, Olukoyede said the anti-graft agency is committed to accountability and transparency.

The institution, formerly known as Nok University, was established in 2021 as a private university by Anthony Hassan, a retired director at the federal ministry of health.

In June, a federal high court in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of the university to the federal government after ruling that it was established with proceeds of corruption.

Hassan was also found to have used illicit funds to set up a hotel, a water factory, and an event centre.

Olukoyede said the process that led to the forfeiture of the properties to the federal government was an indication that good governance is possible in Nigeria.

“This is a testimony that good governance is a possibility in Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given us a marching order to go and ensure delivery of good governance,” the EFCC chairman said.

He also said President Bola Tinubu directed the handover of the institution to the federal ministry of education and commended him for supporting the commission.

“I did promise at that event that we will make sure that the facility is used for what the president has directed, and that is why we are here today to show Nigerians that the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, is a reality,” he added.

Sunday Katung, senator representing Kaduna south, hailed the president and Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, for making the university a reality.

Barnabas Qurix, vice-chancellor of the university, appealed for more support to help the institution stand on its feet.