Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully transferred $22,000 recovered from Hakeem Olanrewaju, an internet scam convict, to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The handover was announced by EFCC’s representative, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Saturday, and the exchange took place in Lagos State on Friday.
Michael Wetkas, the Acting Director of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Command, expressed satisfaction with the proceedings, confirming the EFCC’s dedication to their cause: “The EFCC is pleased with today’s turn over of crime proceeds and remains fully committed to this type of work.”
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Charles Smith, the FBI’s Legal Attaché, praised the EFCC’s efforts during the handover ceremony, highlighting the effective collaboration between the two agencies.
He pointed out how crucial the recovery of such funds is, particularly with crimes like Business Email Compromise (BEC), which severely impact U.S. businesses.
Smith further commented, “The prompt recovery within one or two years not only provides solace to the impacted businesses but also delivers a degree of justice, even though not every perpetrator may be caught.”
“Our hope is that this partnership endures and strengthens the bond between our agencies. The FBI stands ready to assist further in the investigations. We extend our gratitude to the EFCC on behalf of the FBI.”
In conclusion, Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, had previously ruled on August 15, 2023, that funds seized from Olanrewaju, who received a two-year prison sentence for identity theft and fraud, should be returned to the victim in the United States.
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