The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over to Canadian authorities $180,300 and 53 recovered vehicles from fraudsters who defrauded Canadian victims.
A representative of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Nasser Salihou, received the assets at a handover ceremony held at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede handed over the assets on behalf of the commission.
Mr Olukoyede said that of the total funds, $164,000 was recovered for a Canadian citizen, Elena Bogoma, and $16,300 for another victim, Sandra Butler.
He said 53 vehicles were also scammed from Canadian victims.
“These assets are being returned on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the victims in Canada,” he said.
“This operation, carried out by the Lagos Division of the EFCC, demonstrates our commitment to fighting financial crimes. Our collaboration with international partners, particularly the RCMP, has resulted in significant recoveries. The total of 53 vehicles and substantial financial assets demonstrates the effectiveness of these joint operations,” Mr. Olukoyede added.
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Strengthening international cooperation
The EFCC Chairman noted that given the nature of financial crimes globally, there was a need for continued cooperation among international law enforcement authorities.
“Cybercrime has become a threat that knows no borders and requires strong cooperation between jurisdictions. The criminals behind these scams operate without respecting national borders, which is why it is essential that we work closely with agencies like the RCMP.
“This event is a testament to the strengthening of our collaborative efforts. The RCMP has been a key partner in ensuring that justice is served. We are committed to investigating, recovering assets, prosecuting offenders and ensuring that victims, like those in this case, receive full restitution,” Mr. Olukoyede added.
The EFCC Chairman also highlighted the Nigerian Government’s dedication to combating financial crimes.
He said his agency's efforts reflect President Bola Tinubu's determination to root out corruption and fraud in Nigeria.
“What we are doing today is not just symbolic, but a demonstration of our government’s determination to tackle financial crime both domestically and internationally,” he said.
Gratitude to Nigeria
Mr. Salihou, a regional RCMP officer, expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian authorities for their efforts to recover the stolen assets.
“This operation demonstrates the professionalism and commitment of the EFCC in the fight against cybercrime. The victims, even if not present, will be immensely grateful for the efforts made to recover their assets,” he said.
Mr. Sadiou also highlighted the importance of the partnership between the RCMP and the EFCC in combating transnational financial crimes.
“Nigeria has become one of our key partners in West Africa. Their agency has demonstrated an exceptional level of cooperation and effectiveness in the fight against crime. We hope that this partnership will continue to strengthen in the years to come,” he said.
Canada's commitment to combating cross-border crime
Robert Aboumitri, First Secretary of the Office of the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, praised the continued collaboration between Nigeria and Canada in the fight against cybercrime.
He revealed that the RCMP established an office in Nigeria in September 2021 to enhance cross-border investigations.
“Criminals are not limited by jurisdictions, and neither should law enforcement. Our partnership with the EFCC has been one of our most fruitful collaborations in Africa. We have seen real, tangible results from this cooperation, and today’s transfer is a clear example of that success,” said Mr. Aboumitri.
He praised the EFCC for its prompt responses and consistent professionalism. “The team here in Lagos has been exceptional and we are proud to work alongside them,” he added.
'Recovery operations'
Speaking to journalists after the handover, Michael Wetkas, the EFCC Zonal Director in Lagos, provided information on the joint operations to recover the 53 stolen vehicles.
“These vehicles were not all in the same place. We had to track them in several places, including car dealerships and customs ports,” he explained.
He said nine of the vehicles were intercepted at the customs port pending clearance, while the remaining 44 were recovered at different locations in Nigeria.
“This operation took a lot of time and resources, but in the end we were able to recover all of the vehicles,” Wetkas said.
The vehicles, now in RCMP custody, are expected to be returned to their rightful owners.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on July 16 that the Federal High Court in Ikoyi has ordered the final confiscation of 20 luxury cars stolen from Canada and shipped to Nigeria.
In his ruling, Judge Deinde Dipeolu authorized the Nigerian government to seize the vehicles as no one came forward to claim ownership.
The vehicles, which include high-end models such as Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Toyota, were recovered following an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The vehicles had been smuggled into the country and were for sale at various car dealerships in Lagos.
The final order was based on a motion filed by the EFCC, which acted on information provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The RCMP had shared information with Nigerian authorities in April 2022, detailing the theft of more than 350 vehicles from Canada. The stolen cars were then shipped to Nigeria, with many of them sold online or displayed at car dealerships.
Among the vehicles seized were a black 2019 Mercedes G550, several Lexus RX350 models and a Toyota 4Runner, all of which were marked as stolen. The EFCC, using Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and open source intelligence, traced the vehicles to locations in Lagos and ports in Nigeria, leading to multiple sting operations.
In an affidavit filed in court, the EFCC explained that the vehicles were part of a wider smuggling network that stole cars from Canada between March and June 2022.
According to the commission's statement, the vehicles were insured and Canadian insurers compensated the owners and transferred their rights to the RCMP. In collaboration with the EFCC, Canadian authorities worked diligently to locate the vehicles and facilitate their return.
The court had previously issued an interim confiscation order in May, allowing for public notification of the seizure. As there was no objection from the plaintiffs, the final confiscation was granted.
EFCC legal representative, RA Abdulrasheed, requested that the court empower the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria to sell the confiscated vehicles or return them to their original owners. The proceeds, he added, would include a statutory remission of two per cent to the EFCC recovery account.
Mr. Dipeolu, after reviewing the motion and the evidence supporting it, ordered the final forfeiture of the assets in favor of the Nigerian government.