The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned N42.5 million to a 70-year-old widow, Mrs Margret Taye Odofin, who was defrauded by her former bank account and investment officer.
The Zonal Acting Director of the Commission in Kaduna, Mr Bawa Kaltungo, handed over the recovered sum in a bank draft to the victim on Thursday on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC said the money was recovered from Mrs Kehinde Olawale Yusuf, a former staff of one of the new generation banks, who allegedly diverted the victim’s funds to different accounts under the guise of investment deals.
According to the anti-graft agency, the widow had in December 2024 petitioned the Commission, alleging that her investment officer deceived her into investing N47 million in fake Ponzi businesses with a promise of quarterly returns.
Investigations revealed that Yusuf transferred the funds into various bank accounts without the victim’s consent and later fled to the United Kingdom. However, the EFCC traced and recovered part of the stolen funds.
Speaking at the handover, an emotional Mrs Odofin thanked the EFCC for restoring her hope.
“I cannot believe this. When we reported the case in the UK, they advised us to contact the EFCC because the crime was committed in Nigeria. I thank God for using the EFCC to wipe away my tears,” she said.
She also commended the EFCC Chairman for his leadership, describing him as “a man committed to justice.”
In his remarks, Kaltungo reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to justice and restitution for victims of financial crimes.
“We are happy to have regained your confidence in the system. Under the leadership of Mr Olukoyede, the EFCC remains resolute in recovering stolen assets and ensuring justice for all victims,” he said.