By Innocent Anaba

lagos—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos,  has ordered the temporary forfeiture of Victoria East Park Hotel and Suites located along Igbogbo-Mayegun Road, Ikorodu, Lagos over an alleged fraud of N53.7 million.

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Trial judge,  Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to take over the hotel for 21 days to enable it conclude its investigation of the alleged fraud.

The EFCC had, in an ex parte application, yesterday,  told the court that it 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, Oyo State and with accomplices in Lagos.

Counsel for EFCC, Ayanfeoluwa Ogunsina, told the court 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.”

Ogunsina argued 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 N53.7m by the suspects.