The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a recovered sum of N42.5 million to a 70-year-old widow and retiree, Mrs. Margret Taye Odofin, who was defrauded by her former account and investment officer, Mrs. Kehinde Olawale Yusuf, an employee of a new-generation bank.
The restitution, which took place on Thursday at the EFCC Kaduna Zonal Directorate, was conducted by the Acting Zonal Director, Bawa Kaltungo, on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
According to the EFCC, Mrs. Odofin had in December 2024 petitioned the Commission, alleging that Yusuf lured her into investing in a fraudulent Ponzi scheme between November and December 2020, promising quarterly returns of N1.7 million. Unbeknown to her, the banker had diverted N47 million from her account into several personal accounts without authorization before absconding to the United Kingdom.
Despite the suspect’s flight, EFCC operatives traced and recovered a significant portion of the stolen funds, culminating in Thursday’s handover of the N42.5 million bank draft to the victim.
An emotional Mrs. Odofin expressed deep gratitude to the Commission for restoring her hope and recovering her life savings.
“I cannot believe this. When Mrs. Yusuf fled to the UK, we reported the case there, but they said the crime was committed in Nigeria and advised us to contact the EFCC. Today, God has used the Commission to wipe away my tears,” she said. “I want to thank Mr. Ola Olukoyede and the EFCC for their sincerity and professionalism. I will always testify that the Commission is truly working.”
In his remarks, Kaltungo reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to securing justice for victims of financial crimes.
“We appreciate you for trusting the Commission to recover your hard-earned money. This recovery demonstrates our resolve and capacity to handle fraudulent activities within our mandate,” he stated.
The EFCC reiterated that under Olukoyede’s leadership, the Commission will continue to pursue fraudsters, both within and outside Nigeria, to ensure that victims of financial crimes get justice and restitution.
