In a move towards international cooperation, in combating cybercrime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), handed over $22,000, recovered from a convicted internet fraudster, Hakeem Olanrewaju, to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in Lagos on Friday.
The restitution followed a court order by Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on August 15, 2023.
Olanrewaju was sentenced to two years imprisonment for identity theft and impersonation, with the directive to restitute the recovered funds to his victim in the United States of America.
According to Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, the handover ceremony was confirmed in a statement released on Saturday.
During the ceremony, the acting Director of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC, Michael Wetkas, reiterated the commission’s commitment to combating crimes and restoring sanity to the nation.
“We are delighted to be handing over this proceeds of crime today. The EFCC is willing and always ready to do more,” Wetkas stated.
In response, FBI Legal Attaché, Charles Smith, emphasized the collaborative efforts between the EFCC and the FBI, especially in recovering funds related to Business Email Compromise (BEC) crimes.
He expressed gratitude for the EFCC’s efforts in recovering the money, highlighting its significance in providing hope to affected companies and delivering a measure of justice.
“This type of crime cripples businesses in the US, and for them to recover the money within one to two years gives hope to the affected companies and brings some level of justice, even if not all subjects have been identified,” Smith noted.
He further extended appreciation on behalf of the FBI and assured continued support for investigations, emphasizing a cohesive partnership between the two agencies.
“We hope our relationship continues and fosters a more cohesive partnership between the two agencies. If there’s anything the FBI can do to support this investigation, we will do so,” Smith affirmed.
