The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday returned a total sum of $132,362.43 and N78,566,324.81 to victims of fraud from the United States, Spain, and Switzerland.
Other assets, including vehicles and real estate documents, were also handed over to representatives of these countries in Nigeria for restitution to those affected by fraudulent activities.
Speaking at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede urged countries withholding assets and funds recovered from financial and economic criminals to release them for victim restitution.
He said, ‘We are using this opportunity to appeal to those countries holding proceeds of crime recovered on behalf of Nigeria not to continue to sit on those assets because they belong to Nigeria. They should do everything possible to ensure that these assets are repatriated.’
Olukoyede emphasised that the event demonstrated the commission’s commitment not just to recovering assets but also to ensuring they are returned to victims.
‘We don’t just recover; we restitute the victims. We are here this morning to provide restitution to those who suffered due to economic and financial crimes. Once proceeds of crime are recovered, the most responsible course of action is to return them to the victims,’ he said.
At the event, Spain’s Acting Ambassador to Nigeria, Maria Velasco, received $1,300 and confirmation of a N30 million transfer already made to the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria for onward transmission to a victim, Maria Del Rosario San Jose.
Senior Political Officer and First Secretary at the Embassy of Switzerland, Florent Geel, received $100,011.43 on behalf of a victim, Chantai Helene Lavancy, formerly known as Chantai Helene Maeder.
Additionally, Charles Smith, Legal Attaché at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Embassy, received $7,344, N7,963,483.35, and Bitcoin cryptocurrency valued at $4,470 for onward transmission to a victim, Maria Jesus Brockell.
Other restitutions included a residential bungalow at 17/19 Seaman Street, Unguwar Maigero, Kaduna, Kaduna State, handed over to the U.S. Embassy for transmission to a crime victim; $7,527 for a victim, Michael Smith; and $11,710 for another victim, Cheryle Williams, among others.
The Legal Attaché of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria praised the EFCC for its commitment to recovering and returning assets to victims of fraud.
Smith emphasised the significance of the commission’s efforts in bringing closure to those affected.
Smith said, ‘As the FBI Legal Attaché and the representative of the U.S. government, I want to say we personally appreciate this.
‘Many here may not understand the impact this has on the victims. This gives them complete closure and allows them to feel whole again. So we really do appreciate it, and we thank the EFCC.
‘The EFCC is not just operating in Nigeria. The EFCC is a major global contender, and you should recognise that every time.’
Velasco stated that ‘this is a sign of the collaboration between Nigeria and Spain and we are very grateful for this collaboration.’
