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The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, handed over forfeited assets recovered from a convicted romance scammer, Odey Steven Aleka, to an Australian citizen, Karo Rita Kazzi, through her counsel, Blessing Nwankwo.
In a statement by the EFCC, the assets include a gold wedding ring, a gold chain with a cross pendant, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, a Lexus RX350 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), and a one-storey building comprising six room-and-parlour self-contained apartments located along the Emedu–Awoyaya axis of Ajah, Lagos State.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that victims of economic and financial crimes obtain justice and, where possible, recover assets fraudulently obtained from them.
He also reiterated the EFCC’s resolve to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of such crimes.
The handover followed a final forfeiture order granted by Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on March 12, 2024.
The case arose from allegations of romance scam and obtaining by false pretence against Aleka.
The petition was submitted to the Commission by Nwankwo of Woke Attorney Law Firm on behalf of the Australian victim, who alleged that she had been defrauded by the convict.
Investigations revealed that the convict, who had been married to the victim, fraudulently obtained valuables and other assets from her through false representations.
Following the discovery of the fraudulent scheme, the victim engaged the services of her lawyer, who initiated divorce proceedings and subsequently petitioned the EFCC.
Upon the conclusion of investigations, the Commission arraigned Aleka on charges bordering on romance scam and obtaining by false pretence.
He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment, with an option of a fine of ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira).
The court also ordered the final forfeiture of all assets recovered from the convict to the Federal Government of Nigeria as restitution for the benefit of the Australian victim.
The Commission, thereafter, completed all legal processes required for the release of the forfeited assets, culminating in their handover to the victim through her legal representative on Wednesday.
