The Nigerian government has officially returned over $50 million in recovered assets to the governments of the United States, Spain, and Switzerland for onward restitution to victims of financial fraud.
During the handover ceremony, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, emphasized that the move was a crucial step in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against financial crimes. He stated that the restitution aims to uphold the nation’s integrity and combat the negative perceptions associated with cyber-related fraud.
Addressing representatives from the U.S. Embassy, the Spanish government, and Swiss authorities, Olukoyede reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to reversing the global narrative surrounding Nigerian cybercrime activities. He also called on foreign governments to reciprocate by returning stolen Nigerian assets held in their jurisdictions.
Speaking on behalf of the victims, Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, María Higon Velasco, and the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Nigeria, Charles Smith, expressed appreciation for the EFCC’s swift recovery and restitution of the funds.
Dr. Ahmed Dunoma, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted that the initiative would boost Nigeria’s international reputation and attract investor confidence.
In addition to the monetary restitution, the EFCC also returned other recovered assets, including 70 million Naira, two Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and a residential bungalow in Kaduna, to their rightful owners.
