The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday handed over 53 recovered vehicles and $180,300 to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on behalf of Canadian victims of financial crimes.
The assets were recovered from various fraudulent activities linked to cross-border financial crimes.
Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the EFCC, presented the recovered assets to RCMP representatives in Abuja. The RCMP was represented by Nasser Sadiou, Regional Officer, and Robert Aboumitiri, First Secretary at the Canadian High Commission.
Olukoyede explained that the vehicles, stolen from Canada, were traced to several car dealerships across Nigeria, with nine of them found at a customs port awaiting clearance.
“It’s common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn all across the globe. The people who perpetrate these crimes do it in such a way that their activities are quite borderless and barbaric,” Olukoyede remarked.
He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combating such crimes.
He also revealed that $164,000 was recovered for a Canadian named Elena Bogomas, who had fallen victim to a romance scam.
Additionally, $16,300 was recovered for another Canadian victim, Sandra Butler. One fraudster had used his illicit proceeds to purchase an estate, which was later seized, sold, and the funds returned to the victim.
Olukoyede highlighted that the EFCC’s efforts were part of the Nigerian government’s mandate to combat financial crimes, stating, “We will investigate, recover, prosecute, and ensure that the victim is restituted.”
Sadiou, after signing the transfer documents, expressed gratitude to Nigeria and the EFCC, saying, “It is a testimony of your professionalism and commitment in the combat against financial crimes.”
Aboumitiri also praised the successful partnership between Canada and Nigeria in the fight against corruption, noting that it had yielded positive results in tackling financial crimes.