Abuja, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a total of $225,895 and ₦62.79 million recovered from fraud cases to victims from the United States and South Africa.
Okay News reports that the funds were presented during a ceremony held on Friday and presided over by the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammed Hammajoda.
Representatives of the victims’ countries attended the event, including the Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Mike Fukuda, and the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Lindi Mminele.
Speaking during the ceremony, Hammajoda described corruption as a global problem that requires collective efforts to address.
He noted that corruption transcends national boundaries and stressed the need for international collaboration to effectively combat the menace.
Hammajoda added that the EFCC remains committed to ensuring that recovered proceeds of crime are returned to their rightful owners, whether individuals, corporate organisations, governments, or international victims.
He also called on international partners across the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa to promptly respond to requests for cooperation in asset recovery and investigations.
During the event, Fukuda received $7,440 on behalf of American victims, including Drago Boskovic, who was refunded $15,000, and Anh Ngoc Nguyen and three others. Another victim, Holly Ngo, received $175,895 and ₦62.79 million.
Similarly, Mminele, alongside the victim’s lawyer, Elisha Sunday, received $50,000 on behalf of Ennis-Flint Africa Limited, a South African company.
Speaking on behalf of the victims, Mminele commended the EFCC for its efforts in recovering and returning stolen funds, noting that the company had directly benefited from the Commission’s work.
She added that the South African High Commission values its longstanding partnership with the EFCC and looks forward to continued collaboration.
Also speaking, Elisha Sunday praised the Commission for its efforts in combating economic and financial crimes, noting that its work helps restore confidence in doing business with Nigerians.
Fukuda also commended the EFCC’s commitment to securing justice for fraud victims, describing the agency as a world-class organisation and reaffirming the readiness of the FBI and the United States Department of Justice to continue working with the Commission.
