The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over assets forfeited by a convicted romance scammer to an Australian victim, reaffirming its commitment to securing justice and restitution for victims of financial crimes.
The assets were presented on Wednesday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC to the victim, Karo Rita Kazzi, through her legal counsel, Blessing Nwankwo, during a ceremony in Lagos.
The recovered assets include a gold wedding ring, a gold chain with a cross pendant, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, a Lexus RX350 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), and a one-storey building comprising six room-and-parlour self-contained apartments located along the Emedu–Awoyaya axis of Ajah, Lagos State.
Speaking at the handover, the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Bawa Usman Kaltungo, said the Commission remains committed to ensuring that victims of economic and financial crimes receive justice and recover assets fraudulently obtained from them wherever possible.
He also reaffirmed the anti-graft agency’s determination to investigate, prosecute and bring perpetrators of financial crimes to justice.
The assets were forfeited following a final order issued by Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on March 12, 2024, after the conviction of Odey Steven Aleka for romance scam and obtaining by false pretence.
The case originated from a petition filed with the EFCC by Woke Attorney Law Firm on behalf of the Australian victim, alleging that she had been defrauded by Aleka, whom she had married.
EFCC investigations revealed that the convict fraudulently acquired valuables and other assets from the victim through false representations during the course of their relationship.
Following the discovery of the fraudulent scheme, the victim initiated divorce proceedings through her lawyer, who subsequently petitioned the Commission.
Upon concluding its investigation, the EFCC arraigned Aleka on charges bordering on romance scam and obtaining by false pretence.
He was convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
In addition to the conviction, the court ordered the final forfeiture of all assets recovered from the convict to the Federal Government of Nigeria as restitution for the benefit of the Australian victim.
The EFCC said it completed all legal procedures required for the release of the assets before formally handing them over to the victim’s legal representative, describing the exercise as part of its commitment to victim restitution and the fight against cyber-enabled financial crimes.
