EFCC Returns Homes, Cars to Victim of Fake Spiritualist in Ibadan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over three houses, two luxury vehicles, and a sum of ₦1.1 million to a fraud victim, a major victory for asset recovery in the fight against financial crimes. The assets were recovered from a convicted fake spiritualist, Fatai Olalere Alli.
The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, who performed the restitution through the Ibadan Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of EFCC (ACE I) Hauwa Garba Ringim, emphasised that the handover was strictly in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The convicted fraudster, Alli, was found guilty of defrauding the victim, Daniel Babatunde Attiogbe, of over ₦200 million. The deception was carried out under the pretext of conducting "spiritual cleansing" to avert visions of untimely death.
The properties returned to Mr. Attiogbe include a five-bedroom duplex with an attached three-bedroom bungalow at Kasumu Village, Odo-Ona, Elewe, Ibadan, and two other bungalows in the Ibadan metropolis. The recovered vehicles were a grey Honda Pilot SUV and a Toyota Corolla saloon car.
Speaking at the presentation, Mr. Olukoyede stated that obeying court orders is mandatory and reinforces the Commission's commitment to transparency and operating within the ambit of the law.
A grateful Mr. Attiogbe received the documents of ownership, expressing profound appreciation to the EFCC. He noted that he had "almost given up" but the Commission rekindled his hope in the justice system.
Alli was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in 2024 following the judgment by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, who also ordered the final forfeiture of the assets to the victim. The restitution marks a resolution to a case that began with a petition filed in 2019.
