EFCC returns forfeited assets to Australian romance scam victim

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over assets recovered from a convicted romance scammer, Odey Steven Aleka, to an Australian victim, Karo Rita Kazzi, marking the completion of a restitution process following the suspect’s conviction.

The assets were presented on Wednesday by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 to the victim through her legal representative, Blessing Nwankwo.

The recovered items 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 in Ajah, Lagos State.

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Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that victims of economic and financial crimes receive justice and, where possible, recover assets fraudulently obtained from them.

Kaltungo also reiterated the anti-graft agency’s determination to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in financial crimes.

The restitution followed a final forfeiture order granted by Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on March 12, 2024.

According to the EFCC, the case originated from a petition filed by Nwankwo of Woke Attorney Law Firm on behalf of the Australian victim, alleging that Aleka had defrauded her through a romance scam.

Investigations revealed that Aleka, who had married the victim, fraudulently acquired valuable assets from her through false representations. After uncovering the alleged fraud, the victim engaged legal counsel, who initiated divorce proceedings before petitioning the EFCC.

Following its investigation, the Commission arraigned Aleka on charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence and romance scam. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment, with the option of paying a N1 million fine.

The court further ordered the final forfeiture of all assets recovered from the convict to the Federal Government as restitution for the benefit of the Australian victim.

The EFCC said it completed all legal procedures required for the release of the forfeited assets before formally handing them over to the victim’s lawyer on Wednesday.

The Commission described the handover as part of its broader commitment to protecting victims of financial crimes and ensuring that proceeds of crime are recovered and returned to their rightful owners wherever possible.