The government of Anambra State has ordered the closure of Wintess Garden Hotel in Awka over a viral sex video in a swimming pool which reportedly happened at the facility.
It would be recalled that last week, a video surfaced online showing young people, said to be students, having sex while they were being filmed. The incident reportedly happened on Saturday.
The Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism in the state, Donatus Onyenji, who signed the order dated 8 September, explained that the action was to enable the government and security agencies to investigate the incident.
“This and other such indecent operational standard and unholy acts of public show of indecency must not be allowed in any hotel in Anambra.
“Government of Anambra State hereby directs the management of Wintess Garden Hotel to shut down operations pending further investigations and review of the application,” the commissioner added.
The official said the order is in line with the provisions of the Anambra State Tourism and Hospitality Law 2016, adding that the government is already reviewing an application for an operational permit by the hotel which was dated 31 August.
Reacting to the development, the General Manager of the hotel, Ndibe Ikeh, expressed regrets over the incident.
He said the incident does not represent the company’s values and operational principles.
Mr Ikeh thanked the state government for wading into the scandal by taking decisive steps to investigate and unravel the perpetrators and their motives.
The hotel manager asked Nigeria’s secret police, State Security Service and other security agencies to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the incident.
“Wintess Garden Hotel is a responsible organisation with good moral values. Our services are open to the public.
“We apologise for this embarrassment and thank the state government for its kind intervention,” Mr Ikeh stated.