EFCC Recovers. Returns Defrauded Over N.5 Million Back To Blind victim

Posted by African Examiner Crime Watch, Latest Headlines, News, News From The State Friday, October 24th, 2014

From Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

Relief on Thursday came the way of a middle- aged blind woman who was defrauded the sum of N830,000 by a suspected fraudster, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), recovered and handed over N550,000 out of the total back to the owner.

The anti – graft agency, recovered the money for the blind woman – Mary Rose Ihekanacho, from the fraudster, identified as Gift Onyegam, through same commercial bank, (names withheld) used in duping the victim.

Presenting a bank draft of N550,000 to Mrs. Ihekanacho, the EFCC South Eastern Head of Operations, David Iloyanomo called on Nigerians to always assist the agency with vital information to enable it serve them better.

He said the organization stands for justice for the poor and the rich, adding “Our mission is to give hope to the poor and even the rich”.

“We have gone to court on the matter, we are also interested in restitution”. We are also interested in recovering the money for her, despite her challenge, we still pursued it to the logical conclusion”, he promised

“We want to use this medium to call on members of the public just as she did to assist us in whichever way by giving us information, by coming to testify because without her testimony in court, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this”added Iloyanomo.

He however thanked the team for the passion with which they handled the case, while assuring Mrs. Ihekanacho that the balance would be recovered for her.

He said that the agency compelled the bank to pay the bulk part of the sum because the bank was used to transact the fraudulent act.

Recounting how she was duped, Mrs. Ihekanacho thanked and prayed for the leadership of the EFCC, for allowing God to use them to salvage her situation.

It would be recalled that Hon. Justice M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court (1) Enugu, now Justice of Court of Appeal had on 24th of February, 2014 while delivering judgement on a four count charge prosecuted by EFCC convicted and sentenced the 33 yrs old, Gift Onyegam to 10 years imprisonment without option of fine.

The court also ordered him to pay the victim, the amount fraudulently defrauded her.