N53.7m Fraud: Court Orders EFCC To Take Over Hotel In Lagos
Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Lagos Tuesday ordered the temporary forfeiture of Victoria East Park Hotel and Suites located in the Ikorodu area of the state, suspected to be proceeds of crime, over an alleged fraud of N53.7m.
Justice Obiozor, gave the order after hearing an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking to take over the hotel along Igbogbo-Mayegun Road in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The judge, who also directed the anti-graft agency to paste the court order in a conspicuous place on the premises of the hotel, held that the order would last for 21 days to enable the EFCC to conclude its investigation of the alleged fraud.
The EFCC through its counsel, Ayanfeoluwa Ogunsina had told the court that commission believed that the hotel was acquired with proceeds of fraud by one Ebiesuwa Fredrick, who is believed to be the ringleader of a syndicate of fraudsters based in Ibadan and with accomplices in Lagos.
Ogunsina also informed the judge that the anti-graft agency sought to take over the hotel so as to prevent the fraudsters from disposing of it while investigation was still ongoing, thereby “defeating the end of justice”.
The lawyer submitted that the EFCC was investigating Fredrick and members of his fraud syndicate who were still at large, based on a petition it received from one Dunni Olagbegi, who claimed to have been duped to the tune of N53.7 million by the suspects.
In an affidavit filed in support of the application and deposed to by an investigating officer with the EFCC, Chris Odofin, it was averred that “The antics of these fraudsters include luring people into their criminal den where they present one of them as a pastor, hypnotize their victim, make the victim take an oath never to reveal what they say or do and then use all sorts of deceitful methods to collect money from the victim.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the respondent (Fredrick), is a member of the syndicate of fraudsters that specialise in duping unsuspecting members of the society and have duped several people through this means and are still on the prowl, seeking more people as his victims.
“The respondent and some members of his syndicate are based in Ibadan while they also have accomplices in Lagos.
“They launder the proceeds of their criminal activities through acquisition of landed properties within and outside Ibadan with a view to legitimizing and integrating their ill-gotten wealth into the mainstream economy, despite the fact that they have no legitimate source of income.”
After listening to the EFCC lawyer, Justice Obiozor, in a short ruling, granted the ex parte application, empowering the anti-graft agency to take over Victoria East Park Hotel and Suites for 21 days.
