The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday handed over a total sum of $225,895 and ₦62,790,000 to foreign victims of fraud from the United States and South Africa.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, noting that the restitution ceremony was 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, Mike Fukuda, and the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Lindi Mminele.
Speaking during the handover, Hammajoda described corruption as a global menace that requires collective international efforts to tackle.
He said corruption is a cross-border crime and warned that failure by countries to work together against it could allow the problem to grow unchecked. According to him, the EFCC remains committed to ensuring that recovered proceeds of crime are returned to their rightful owners.
He added that the commission routinely restitutes recovered funds to victims, whether individuals, corporate organisations, governments, or international entities, and expressed hope that Nigeria would receive similar cooperation from partner agencies around the world.
Hammajoda also urged international partners in the United States, Europe, Asia, and other parts of Africa to respond promptly to requests for collaboration, stressing that asset recovery efforts require strong global partnerships.
During the ceremony, Fukuda received $7,440 on behalf of American victim Drago Boskovic, $15,000 on behalf of Anh Ngoc Nguyen and three others, and $175,895 alongside ₦62,790,000 for another victim, Holly Ngo.
Similarly, Mminele, alongside the lawyer representing the South African victim company, Elisha Sunday, received $50,000 on behalf of Ennis-Flint Africa Limited, a South African company.
Speaking on behalf of the victims, Mminele expressed appreciation to the EFCC for its efforts in recovering and returning stolen funds. She noted that South Africa had seen tangible results from the commission’s work through the recovery made for the affected company.
She added that the South African High Commission values its longstanding relationship with the EFCC and looks forward to continued cooperation in tackling financial crimes.
Sunday also commended the anti-graft agency for its sustained efforts in combating economic and financial crimes, while Fukuda praised the commission for its commitment to ensuring justice and restitution for victims of fraud.
