The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday handed over a total of $225,895 and N62.79m recovered from fraudsters to victims from the United States and South Africa.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
According to the statement, the presentation was supervised by the Secretary to the commission, Mohammed Hammajoda, and attended by representatives of the affected countries, including the Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mike Fukuda, and the Acting South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lindi Mminele.
Speaking during the event, Hammajoda described corruption as a global challenge that must be tackled through joint international efforts.
He noted that corruption transcends national boundaries and requires collective action from countries and law enforcement agencies around the world.
He also reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that recovered proceeds of crime are returned to their rightful owners, whether individuals, corporate bodies or governments.
Hammajoda further called on international partners of the commission across the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa to respond swiftly to requests for cooperation, particularly in matters relating to restitution and asset recovery.
According to him, Nigeria expects the same level of cooperation from foreign partners whenever assets linked to the country are recovered abroad.
During the exercise, Fukuda received $7,440 on behalf of Drago Boskovic, $15,000 for Anh Ngoc Nguyen and three others, as well as $175,895 and N62.79m for Holly Ngo and other victims.
Similarly, Mminele, alongside the lawyer representing the victim, Elisha Sunday, received $50,000 on behalf of Ennis-Flint Africa Limited, a South African company affected by the fraud.
In her remarks, Mminele expressed appreciation to the commission for its efforts in recovering and returning the stolen funds to the victims.
She noted that the South African authorities recognised the work being done by the commission and that the victim company had witnessed the positive outcome of its efforts.
Mminele added that the South African High Commission valued its longstanding partnership with the commission and looked forward to strengthening cooperation in the fight against financial crimes.
Also speaking, the legal representative of the South African company, Sunday, commended the commission for its dedication to combating economic and financial crimes.
Fukuda equally praised the anti-graft agency for its determination to ensure that victims of fraud obtain justice.