The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has handed over 53 recovered vehicles and 180, 300 dollars to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on behalf of the victims of financial crimes in Canada.
Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ola Olukoyede handed over the recovered assets to the representatives of RCMP in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that RCMP was represented by Nasser Sadiou, its Regional Officer, and Mr Robert Aboumitiri, First Secretary, Deputy High Commission of Canada, Nigeria.
According to Okukoyede, the vehicles were stolen from Canada and tracked to various car stands in Nigeria.
He said that nine of the vehicles were tracked to a customs port, where they were awaiting clearance.
According to him, 164, 000 U.S. dollars was recovered for a Canadian, Elena Bogomas, in a romance scam, while 16, 300 U.S. dollars was also recovered for another Canadian, Sandra Butler.
He said one of the fraudsters used his proceeds to buy an estate and was later arrested, prosecuted and jailed, while the property was sold to recover the funds.
“It’s common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn all across the globe.
“The people who perpetrate these crimes do it in such a way that we discover that their activities are quite borderless and barbaric,” he said.
Sadiou, in his remarks after the signing of documents for the transfer of the recovered assets, thanked the Government of Nigeria and the EFCC in the fight against corruption.
“I am really happy to be here. I feel like being home. I am very happy with the recovery and we appreciate the EFCC on the job they have done.
“It is a testimony of your professionalism and commitment in the combat against financial crimes.
“EFCC is one of the key partners in the fight against financial crimes in the world and West Africa in particular,” he said.
Aboumitiri in his remarks, lauded the partnership between the Canadian government and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He said the partnership had been yielding positive results
