As a move aimed at offering restitution to victims of fraudulent practices, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a total sum of $132,362, N78,566,324 to American, Spanish and Swiss victims of local fraudsters.
The handover, which was performed by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede took place on Friday at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. A delighted Olukoyede observed that, “The event is a demonstration of the commitment of the federal government of Nigeria and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the fight against corruption and financial crimes”…a commitment to prove to the entire world that Nigeria is not a safe haven for financial crimes, a commitment to international cooperation and international synergy in the fight against financial crimes, which you will agree with me, has become a global crime.”
Speaking further, he said. “We are here to demonstrate that the federal government of Nigeria, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is ready to do everything possible to prevent financial crimes from being perpetrated in our system. And when one has taken place, to investigate where assets are involved, to trace, to recover and where necessary, prosecute.
Handed over in addition to money were vehicles and real estate to citizens of Spain, United States of America and Switzerland. Acting Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Maria Higon Velasco received the sum of $1,300 and evidence of N30 million already transferred to the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria for onward transmission to a victim, Maria Del Rosario San Jose.
Florent Geel, Senior Political Officer, First Secretary, Embassy of Switzerland received $100,011 on behalf of a victim, Chantai Helene Lavancy, formerly known as Chantai Helene Maeder.
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Charles Smith, Legal Attache, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Embassy of the United States received the sum of $7,344; N7,963,483, and Bitcoin cryptocurrency valued at $4,470 on behalf of the United States Embassy in Nigeria for onward transmission to a victim, Maria Jesus Brockell.
Also received by Smith was a Mercedes Benz E550 4Matic Chasis No:WDDHF9AB6AA111112, Mercedes Benz C450 AMG with Chasis No: WDD20J0641F282467, and one residential bungalow, located at 17/19 Seaman Street, Unguwar Maigero, Kaduna, Kaduna State on behalf of the United States Embassy in Nigeria for onward transmission to the crime victim.
Lastly, Smith received the sum of N32,639,358 on behalf of the United States Embassy in Nigeria for onward transmission to the crime victim, Marva Marrow.
In her remarks, her Excellency Velasco expressed gratitude, adding that “This is a sign of the collaboration between Nigeria and Spain and we are very grateful for this collaboration.”
Smith said “As the FBI Legal Attache and the representative of the US government I want to say we personally appreciate this. Many here may not understand what the impact this does to the victims. This gives them complete closure and it allows them to feel whole again. So we really do appreciate and we thank the EFCC. The EFCC is just not operating in Nigeria. The EFCC is a major global contender and you should recognize that every time.”
