The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned N42.5 million to a 70-year-old widow and retiree, Mrs. Margret Taye Odofin, who was defrauded by her account and investment officer in a new generation bank.
The money, recovered from the suspect, Mrs. Kehinde Olawale Yusuf, was presented to the victim in Kaduna by the Acting Director of the EFCC Kaduna Zonal Command, Bawa Kaltungo, on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.
According to the EFCC, Mrs. Odofin had petitioned the Commission in December 2024 after discovering the banker had diverted her savings.
She alleged that Yusuf lured her into a fake investment scheme in 2020 with a promise of a quarterly return of N1.7 million, only for her to later discover that N47 million had been siphoned from her account and transferred to multiple destinations without authorisation.
The suspect, who allegedly fled to the United Kingdom after the fraud was uncovered, was tracked through EFCC investigations, leading to the recovery of part of the stolen funds.
An emotional Mrs. Odofin, while receiving the recovered money, broke down in tears of joy, praising the EFCC and its leadership for restoring her hope.
“I cannot believe this is happening. When we reported the case in the UK, we were told the offence was committed in Nigeria and that only the EFCC could help,” she said.
“Today, God has used the Commission to wipe away my tears. I waited for years to get my hard-earned money back. I will campaign for the EFCC anywhere because they have proven that justice still works in Nigeria.”
Kaltungo, who represented the EFCC Chairman, said the recovery reflects the Commission’s renewed resolve to ensure justice for victims of financial crimes.
“We appreciate you for trusting the Commission. This recovery demonstrates our professionalism and capacity to resolve cases within our mandate,” he said.
He reaffirmed that under Olukoyede’s leadership, the EFCC remains committed to pursuing financial criminals and ensuring victims get justice, no matter how long it takes.
