EFCC Returns $180,300 and 53 Stolen Vehicles to Canada, Strengthening Global Cooperation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully returned $180,300 and 53 vehicles, recovered from fraudsters who targeted Canadian victims, to Canadian authorities.
Nasser Salihou, representing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), received the assets during a handover ceremony at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede presented the assets on behalf of the commission. He explained that $164,000 was recovered for a Canadian national, Elena Bogoma, and $16,300 for another victim, Sandra Butler. Additionally, 53 vehicles swindled from Canadian victims were also returned.
“These assets are being returned on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria to victims in Canada,” said Mr. Olukoyede.
He emphasized that this operation, led by the Lagos Division of the EFCC, demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to combating financial crimes. The collaboration with international partners, particularly the RCMP, has resulted in significant recoveries, showcasing the effectiveness of these joint efforts.
Strengthening International Cooperation
The EFCC chairman highlighted the importance of continued global cooperation in tackling financial crimes, given their increasingly borderless nature.
“Cybercrime is a global threat, necessitating robust cooperation across jurisdictions. The criminals behind these frauds operate without respect for national borders, making close collaboration with agencies like the RCMP crucial,” Mr. Olukoyede stated.
He added that the event underscores the strengthening of collaborative efforts, with the RCMP playing a key role in ensuring justice. The EFCC remains committed to investigating, recovering assets, prosecuting offenders, and ensuring that victims, like those in this case, receive full restitution.
Mr. Olukoyede also reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s dedication to fighting financial crimes, reflecting President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to eradicate corruption and fraud both domestically and internationally.
Gratitude to Nigeria
Nasser Salihou, the RCMP’s Regional Officer, expressed gratitude to Nigerian authorities for their efforts in recovering the stolen assets.
“This operation showcases the professionalism and commitment of the EFCC in fighting cybercrime. The victims, though not present, would be immensely grateful for the efforts made to recover their assets,” Mr. Salihou remarked.
He also emphasized the importance of the partnership between the RCMP and the EFCC in combating transnational financial crimes, noting Nigeria’s role as a key partner in West Africa.
Canada’s Commitment to Fighting Cross-border Crimes
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Robert Aboumitri, First Secretary in the Office of the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada in Lagos, praised the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and Canada in the fight against cybercrime. He highlighted that the RCMP established an office in Nigeria in September 2021 to enhance cross-border investigations.
“Criminals are not constrained by jurisdictions, and neither should law enforcement be. Our partnership with the EFCC has been one of our most fruitful collaborations in Africa. We’ve seen real, tangible results from this cooperation, and today’s handover is a clear example of that success,” Mr. Aboumitri said.
He commended the EFCC for its prompt responses and consistent professionalism, adding that the team in Lagos has been exceptional.
Insights into Recovery Operations
Speaking to journalists after the handover, Michael Wetkas, the Zonal Director of the EFCC in Lagos, provided insights into the joint operations that led to the recovery of the 53 stolen vehicles.
“These vehicles were not all in one location. We had to trace them across various locations, including car dealerships and customs ports,” he explained.
Mr. Wetkas noted that nine of the vehicles were intercepted at the customs port awaiting clearance, while the remaining 44 were retrieved from different locations across Nigeria.
“This operation took considerable time and resources, but in the end, we were able to recover all the vehicles,” he said. The vehicles are now in the custody of the RCMP and are expected to be returned to their rightful owners.
Legal Proceedings and Asset Forfeiture
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi ordered the final forfeiture of 20 luxury cars stolen from Canada and shipped to Nigeria. Judge Deinde Dipeolu authorized the Nigerian government to seize the vehicles as no one came forward to claim ownership.
The vehicles, including high-end models like Mercedes Benz, Lexus, and Toyota, were recovered following an EFCC investigation. The cars had been smuggled into Nigeria and listed for sale at various car dealerships in Lagos.
The final order was based on a motion filed by the EFCC, which acted on intelligence provided by the RCMP. The RCMP had shared information with Nigerian authorities in April 2022, detailing the theft of over 350 vehicles from Canada. Many of these stolen cars were shipped to Nigeria, sold online, or displayed in car lots.
Among the cars forfeited were a black Mercedes G550 2019, several Lexus RX350 models, and Toyota 4Runners, all flagged as stolen. The EFCC, using Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and open-source intelligence, traced the cars to locations in Lagos and Nigeria’s ports, leading to multiple sting operations.
The court had previously issued an interim forfeiture order in May, allowing for public notification of the seizure. With no opposition from claimants, the final forfeiture was granted.
The EFCC’s legal representative, R.A. Abdulrasheed, requested that the court empower the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria to either sell the forfeited vehicles or return them to the original owners. The proceeds, he added, would include a two percent statutory remittance to the EFCC’s recovery account.
Judge Dipeolu, after reviewing the motion and supporting evidence, ordered the final forfeiture of the assets to the Nigerian government.
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