A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday
ordered the temporary forfeiture of Victoria
East Park Hotel and Suites to EFCC over
alleged N53.7 million fraud.
Justice Chuka Obiozor issued the forfeiture
order of the hotel located on Igbogbo-
Mayegun Road in Ikorodu, Lagos State,
following
an ex parte application filed by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judge issued order for the EFCC to take
over the hotel for 21 days to enable it to
conclude its investigations on the alleged
fraud.
The EFCC had in its ex parte application on
Tuesday told the court that it believed that
the hotel was acquired with proceeds
of fraud by Mr Fredrick Ebiesuwa.
It avers that Ebiesuwa is believed to be the
ring leader of fraudsters based in Ibadan.
According to the commission, Ebiesuwa also
has accomplices in Lagos.
On Tuesday, Counsel to the EFCC, Mr
Ayanfeoluwa Ogunsina, told the court that
the anti-graft agency sought to take over
the hotel
to prevent the suspected fraudsters from
disposing of it while investigation is still
ongoing.
Ogunsina said the EFCC was investigating
Ebiesuwa and his accomplices, who were
still at large, based on a petition it received
from one Dunni Olagbegi.
He said Olagbegi claimed to have been
duped by the suspected fraudsters to the
tune of N53.7 million.
After listening to the arguments of the
counsel, Justice Obiozor, in a short ruling,
granted the application empowering the
anti-graft agency to take over Victoria East
Park Hotel and Suites for 21 days.
The judge however, directed the anti-graft
agency to paste the court’s order in a
conspicuous place on the premises of the
hotel.
He adjourned further proceedings until Aug.
9.
