The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday returned a total of $225,895 and ₦62.79 million to foreign victims of fraud from the United States of America and South Africa.
According to a statement issued in Abuja by spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the restitution ceremony was presided over by the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammed Hammajoda.
Representatives of the victims’ countries attended the event, including Mike Fukuda, Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Lindi Mminele, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria.
Hammajoda described corruption as a global threat that requires joint international action to tackle.
“Corruption is like a cancer that eats into every fabric of our lives. It is cross-border in nature; therefore, we must join hands collectively to defeat it,” he said, stressing that global cooperation is essential in combating financial crimes.
He reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to returning recovered assets to their rightful owners.
“Whatever we recover, we return to the victims — individuals, corporate organisations, governments, or international victims. We also expect the same gesture from our partner agencies across the world,” he added.
Hammajoda further called on international partners across America, Europe, Asia, Africa and other regions to respond swiftly to requests for cooperation in asset recovery and investigations.
During the event, Fukuda received $7,440 on behalf of American victim Drago Boskovic, $15,000 for Anh Ngoc Nguyen and three others, and $175,895 alongside ₦62,790,000 for Holly Ngo.
Similarly, Mminele, accompanied by the victim’s lawyer Elisha Sunday, received $50,000 on behalf of Ennis-Flint Africa Limited, a South African company that was defrauded.
Speaking on behalf of the victims, Mminele commended the EFCC for its efforts in recovering stolen funds and ensuring restitution.
She noted that South Africa recognizes the commission’s work and that the victim company has witnessed the results of EFCC’s efforts firsthand.
Mminele also highlighted the strong relationship between the South African High Commission and the EFCC, expressing optimism for continued collaboration.
Sunday praised the commission for its persistent fight against economic and financial crimes, while Fukuda also applauded the EFCC’s commitment to securing justice and restitution for fraud victims.
