Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has handed over to representatives of the United States, Spain, and Switzerland proceeds of crimes recovered by the EFCC. These assets, linked to financial crimes committed against citizens of these nations, were handed over for onward transmission to the victims, showing Nigeria’s commitment to combating corruption and fostering international cooperation.
The event saw the presence of notable figures, including Maria Velasco, the Acting Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, representing the Spanish Embassy; HBI Legal, representing the Swiss Embassy; and representatives from the United States Embassy. Also in attendance was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose presence highlighted the Nigerian government’s unified stance on the matter.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman Olukoyede extended a warm welcome on behalf of the EFCC, its staff, and the Nigerian government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Our being here this morning is a demonstration of the commitment of the federal government of Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the fight against corruption and financial crimes,” he stated. He emphasized that this effort reflects a broader dedication to good governance, economic stimulation, and proving to the world that Nigeria is not a haven for financial crimes. “It’s a commitment to international cooperation and strategy in the fight against financial crimes, which we all agree has become a global challenge,” he added.
Olukoyede outlined the EFCC’s mandate, which includes preventing financial crimes and, where prevention falls short, investigating, tracing, recovering, and prosecuting offenders. “We don’t just recover; we also recover to rescue the victims,” he said, highlighting the purpose of the handover ceremony. The recovered assets—including cash, real estate, vehicles, and cryptocurrency—were meticulously detailed during the event.
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Among the items handed over, the EFCC presented $11,710 to the United States Embassy for Gerald Williams, alongside $7,527 for another victim, identified simply as “Dear Brother,” and a further $7,344 plus 7,963,433 Naira and Bitcoin valued at $4,470 for Maria Jesus Brooke. Additionally, the commission transferred vehicles, including a Mercedes Benz C450 AMG, and a residential property located at 1719, along with 32,639,358 Naira, all destined for U.S. victims. For Switzerland, $100,011.43 was handed over to the embassy representative for John Ty Helen. The Spanish Embassy received assets recovered on behalf of a citizen named Jose, though specific amounts were not detailed in the speech.
Reflecting on the significance of the handover, Olukoyede stressed that the process adheres to international treaties, legal frameworks, and conventions. “We are doing this to demonstrate to the countries involved that it is within the confines of international treaty, legal process, and convention that once properties or assets are recovered on behalf of a country, it is important for us to expedite action for restitution,” he said. He urged the global community to reciprocate this gesture, calling on nations holding proceeds of crimes belonging to Nigeria to repatriate them. “We are using this opportunity to appeal to those countries that are holding the proceeds of crime not to sit on those assets, because they are properties of Nigeria,” he asserted.
The ceremony, first of its kind shows the EFCC’s proactive role in tracing and restituting assets to victims worldwide, reinforcing Nigeria’s stance against financial crime. The representatives from the embassies of Spain, Switzerland, and the United States received the items with appreciation, acknowledging the collaborative efforts that made the restitution possible. As Olukoyede concluded, the event stood as a testament to Nigeria’s resolve to uphold justice, both domestically and on the global stage.
