The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that a former Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe, and other staff diverted over N275 million from the school's bank accounts.

This accusation was made in a motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CS/33/2024, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja. The EFCC stated that Sunflower Hotel Kaduna, among other properties, was suspected to be proceeds of crime linked to Monday Onyema, a former Bursar of NOUN, Adamu Danlami, and Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe, who are under investigation for alleged offences including conspiracy and stealing of public funds.

According to Francis Usani, counsel for the EFCC, the sum of N275,081,896.90, presumed to be diverted from NOUN's account by Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe, was used to fund the renovation and completion of Sunflower Hotel. This, he argued, constituted the diversion of public funds belonging to NOUN.

In an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC staff, Hayatudeen S. Ahmed, it was alleged that the suspects conspired and connived with other NOUN staff to divert public funds into companies where they had interests, subsequently using these funds to finance their projects.

Investigations revealed that funds diverted from NOUN's account were channeled to companies such as Crossbill International Limited, Wanone Investment Limited, Tanadi Limited, Namutane Foundation, and Sunflower Hotel Limited. These entities, as per the affidavit, are linked to Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe.

The EFCC sought a court order to prevent the sale or use of Sunflower Hotel, urging any person of interest to explain why the hotel should not be forfeited to the federal government.

In response, the judge ordered the preservation of Sunflower Hotel, reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Today, a further report by the EFCC was scheduled, but it was adjourned to May 22.