EFCC hands over recovered 53 vehicles, $180,300, to Canadian authorities
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, on Friday, September 6, 2024, officially handed over assets totaling $180,300 and 53 vehicles to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
These assets were recovered from Nigerian fraudsters and are intended to be returned to their Canadian victims.
Out of the recovered cash, $164,000 belongs to a victim identified as Elena Bogomas, while $16,300 was recovered for another victim, Sandra Butler. The 53 vehicles, stolen over time in Canada, were shipped to Nigeria by the criminals and distributed across various locations.
The handover ceremony took place at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, in the presence of Robert Aboumitri, First Secretary and Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, and Nasser Salihou, Liaison Officer and Programme Manager of the RCMP.
Olukoyede expressed his satisfaction with the successful collaboration between the EFCC and the RCMP, emphasizing that the recovery efforts demonstrate Nigeria’s zero tolerance for fraud and corruption.
“What the EFCC is doing today is on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he stated. “This is to demonstrate that the government of Nigeria will never tolerate any act of financial crime. President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed has given us the mandate to extend our hands of fellowship and collaboration to ensure that this problem is resolved.”
He further highlighted the global nature of financial crimes, noting that they transcend borders, making international cooperation crucial. “It is common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn across the globe and have become a global problem. That is why it has become necessary for us to collaborate with all our friends across the world.”
Speaking at the event, Nasser Salihou praised the EFCC’s diligence and professionalism, stating, “This is a testimony of your professionalism and your commitment to combat crime. We value this partnership and we will like to take it to the highest level possible.”
Robert Aboumitri echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in combating transnational crimes. “The RCMP decided to open an office in Nigeria in September 2021 because there was a recognition that while we are bound by jurisdictions, criminals are not. We have found that in Nigeria, one of our best partners has been, and we hope will continue to be, the EFCC.”
