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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned the proceeds of crime fund and other valuables recovered from a fake spiritualist-cum-advance fee fraudster worth millions of naira to the victim, identified as Daniel Babatunde Attiogbe, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede, in a statement signed and made available to newsmen by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, handed over the recovered items to the victim on Tuesday. The items, which were recovered from one Fatai Olalere Alli (a.k.a. Baba Abore, Baba Osun) by the Advance Fee Fraud Section of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, include over three properties, two exotic vehicles, and the sum of ₦1,100,000.00 (One Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira). Other recovered items are: a five-bedroom duplex with a three-bedroom bungalow situated at Kasumu Village in Odo-Ona, Elewe, Ibadan; a bungalow comprising two sets of three-bedroom flats situated at Plot 182, Block D, Lapiti Layout, Akanran Road, Amuloko, Ibadan; and a three-bedroom bungalow situated at Idi Ayunre Village, Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan. The list also includes one grey-coloured Honda Pilot SUV with chassis number 2HKY18414H621545 and registration number LND 696 CK, and a Toyota Corolla saloon car with chassis number 2T1BU40E49C142502. Speaking through the Acting Zonal Director, Ibadan, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Hauwa Garba Ringim, Olukoyede said the recoveries were released to the victim as ordered by the court. According to him, “Obeying court orders is mandatory, and as an agency of the Federal Government, we know its importance, and that is what we are doing here today. This is an indication that the EFCC carries out its activities within the ambit of the law. Also, this is to reassure Nigerians of the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability. “I want to assure you that the EFCC will continue to combat economic and financial crimes head-on, and stop at nothing to ensure that any fraudulent person besmirching the image of the country through fraudulent activities will be brought to book,” he said. Receiving the ‘Letter of Release’ and documents of the properties, Attiogbe thanked the EFCC for its unequivocal commitment and diligence towards the fight against economic and financial crimes, as well as for the professionalism and integrity displayed by officers of the Commission while carrying out their official responsibilities. “Sincerely, I want to thank the EFCC, especially the Ibadan Zonal Office, for its unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption. I almost gave up, but the EFCC rekindled my hope after I submitted my petition, and here we are today,” he said. The recoveries were handed over to the victim following a final forfeiture order by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan. Judgment was delivered on 13 November 2024 in a fraud case that began in 2019, wherein Alli was found guilty of conniving with his syndicate and swindling the victim of his legitimate earnings to the tune of over ₦200 million (Two Hundred Million Naira) under the pretext of providing spiritual cleansing to counter and erase visions of the victim’s untimely death. Alli was first prosecuted on a 33-count charge, which was later amended to a one-count charge in the course of the trial. He was convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and ordered to undertake with the Department of State Services (DSS) that he would be of good behaviour and refrain from engaging in any criminal activity again. ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
