The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a bank draft of ₦64.8 million to a businessman, Uzoechina Anene, being funds recovered by operatives of the commission following an alleged fraud.
The handover was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale.
According to the statement, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Benin Zonal Directorate, Deputy Commander of the Commission, Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, presented the recovered sum to the victim on Tuesday in Benin City.
Oyewale explained that Anene, a 59-year-old dealer in petroleum products, had petitioned the EFCC in October 2024 after he was allegedly defrauded by one Adegboyega Adebanbo.
“The petitioner stated that Adebanbo collected ₦65.7 million from him under the pretext of supplying 90,000 litres of Neptha (condensate).
“After the transfer of the funds, the product was never supplied and all efforts to recover the money proved unsuccessful,” he said.
The EFCC spokesman noted that investigations revealed that the suspect had travelled out of the country but transferred ₦64.8 million to the bank account of the wife of his business associate, Ekundayo Akinseye.
“Akinseye subsequently moved the funds into other accounts in an attempt to conceal the transaction,” Oyewale added.
He said EFCC operatives successfully traced the flow of funds across multiple accounts and recovered the money in full.
While handing over the draft, the Acting Zonal Director cautioned Nigerians to exercise due diligence in business dealings to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
“The EFCC will continue to carry out its mandate professionally and ensure that fraudsters are brought to justice.
“We also urge Nigerians to be wary of individuals who parade themselves as businessmen and suppliers without verifiable credentials,” Oyewale stated.
He added that the suspects involved in the case have been charged to court.
Speaking at the handover, Anene expressed gratitude to the EFCC for its swift intervention, describing the professionalism of the commission’s operatives as exemplary.
“I am impressed by the level of professionalism displayed. Your conduct is worthy of emulation,” he said.
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