The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has handed over $22,000 recovered from Hakeem Olanrewaju, a convicted internet fraudster, to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
In a statement on Saturday, the EFCC said the money was
handed over to the FBI in Lagos, as the victim, who was defrauded, lives in the
US.
In August 2023, Nicholas Oweibo, the judge of the federal
high court in Ikoyi, sentenced Olanrewaju to two years imprisonment for
identity theft and impersonation.
The judge also ordered that the money recovered from him be restituted to his victim.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Lagos on Friday,
Michael Wetkas, acting director of the Lagos zonal command of the EFCC, said
the commission remains dedicated to combating crimes and restoring sanity to
the nation.
“We are delighted to be handing over this proceeds of crime
today,” Wetkas said, adding that “the EFCC is willing and always ready to do
more”.
Charles Smith, FBI legal attaché in Nigeria, thanked the
EFCC for facilitating the recovery of the money.
“This type of crime cripples businesses in the US, and for
them to recover the money within one to two years gives hope to the affected
companies and brings some level of justice, even if not all subjects have been
identified,” Smith said.
“We hope our relationship continues and fosters a more
cohesive partnership between the two agencies.”
Smith added that the FBI is willing to support the
investigation in any way possible.
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Let US too return all the money our polithiefians kept in their institutions. That money belong to us. One good turn deserve another
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