EFCC Returns $225,895, ₦62.79m Recovered from Fraud to Foreign Victims
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, March 13, 2026, returned a total of $225,895 and ₦62,790,000 to victims of fraud from the United States and South Africa.
The funds were officially handed over during a ceremony presided over by the Commission’s Secretary, Mohammed Hammajoda, with representatives of the affected countries in attendance.
Among them were the Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Mike Fukuda, and the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Lindi Mminele.
Speaking at the event, Hammajoda described corruption as a global challenge that can only be tackled through joint international action.
According to him, corruption operates beyond national boundaries and requires collective efforts among nations to effectively combat it.
He reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to ensuring that funds recovered from financial crimes are returned to their rightful owners, whether individuals, corporate organisations, governments or victims from other countries. He also encouraged international partners to maintain the same level of cooperation when Nigeria seeks assistance in asset recovery.
During the ceremony, Fukuda accepted $7,440 on behalf of American victims of fraud, including Drago Boskovic, who received $15,000, as well as Anh Ngoc Nguyen and three others. Another victim, Holly Ngo, received $175,895 and ₦62,790,000.
In a separate restitution, Lindi Mminele, together with the company’s legal representative Elisha Sunday, received $50,000 on behalf of Ennis-Flint Africa Limited, a South African firm affected by fraud.
Mminele expressed appreciation to the EFCC for successfully recovering and returning the funds. She noted that the results of the Commission’s work have reinforced confidence in its anti-corruption efforts and highlighted the value of the longstanding relationship between the South African High Commission and the agency.
Also speaking, Sunday praised the EFCC for its determination in addressing financial crimes, saying the agency’s efforts help strengthen confidence in doing business with Nigerians and contribute to improving the country’s standing in the global financial system.
Fukuda also commended the Commission for securing restitution for victims and reaffirmed the willingness of the FBI and the United States Department of Justice to continue collaborating with the EFCC. He described the Commission as a world-class agency and said his organisation values the ongoing partnership in the fight against financial crimes.
