Keypoints:
- EFCC recovers N42.5m ($25,000) for 70-year-old widow defrauded by her banker
- Victim was deceived into a fake investment scheme in 2020
- EFCC vows continued commitment to securing justice for fraud victims
NIGERIA’S Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a recovered sum of N42.5 million ($25,000) to 70-year-old widow and retiree, Margret Taye Odofin, who was defrauded by her former bank investment officer.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the anti-graft agency said the funds were returned to the victim at its Kaduna Zonal Directorate. The handover was conducted by the Commission’s Acting Director, Bawa Kaltungo, on behalf of EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
Victim deceived by trusted banker
According to the EFCC, Odofin had in December 2024 petitioned the Kaduna office after discovering that her account and investment officer, Kehinde Olawale Yusuf, had secretly siphoned her life savings. Between November and December 2020, Yusuf allegedly lured the widow into a bogus Ponzi-style investment, promising quarterly returns of N1.7 million ($1,000).
However, Odofin later discovered that a total of N47 million ($28,000) had been fraudulently withdrawn from her account and transferred into several others without her consent. When she confronted Yusuf about the transactions, the banker reportedly cut off contact and fled to the United Kingdom.
Despite her flight abroad, EFCC investigators successfully traced and recovered part of the funds stolen from the victim’s accounts.
Widow praises EFCC for recovery
An emotional Odofin expressed deep gratitude to the Commission and its leadership for helping her recover her stolen money.
‘I cannot believe this because when we reported this case in the United Kingdom, they said the offence was committed in Nigeria and advised us to contact the EFCC,’ she said. ‘Today I am singing to the glory of God because God has used the Commission to wipe away my tears. I have waited for years to get my hard-earned money back.’
She went on to praise EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and his team, saying: ‘I will campaign for the EFCC anywhere because they have given me every reason to believe and testify that the Commission is working sincerely.’
EFCC reiterates commitment to victims’ justice
Speaking at the handover, Acting Director Bawa Kaltungo reaffirmed the EFCC’s dedication to securing justice for victims of financial crime.
‘I want to sincerely appreciate you for having trust in the Commission to help you recover your hard-earned money,’ he said. ‘We are happy that we have convinced you of our professionalism and capacity to resolve any fraudulent activity within our mandate.’
The EFCC said investigations into other aspects of the case are ongoing.
