Properties belonging to a fraud victim, Daniel Babatunde Attiogbe, have been recovered as proceeds of crime from one fake spiritualist and advance fee fraudster, Fatai Olalere Alli (a.k.a. Baba Abore, Baba Osun), and were handed over to the owner by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, on Tuesday.
The Ibadan Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE 1 Hauwa Garba Ringim, made the presentation on behalf of the Executive Chairman in a brief reception at the Conference Hall of the Directorate.
The property included a five-bedroom duplex with a three-bedroom bungalow situated at Kasumu Village in Odo-ona, Elewe, Ibadan; a bungalow of two sets of three-bedroom flats situated at Plot 182, Block D, Lapiti Layout, Akanran Road, Amuloko in Ibadan; and a three-bedroom bungalow situated at Idi Ayunre Village, Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan.
Others are a one grey-colour Honda Pilot SUV with Chassis number 2HKY18414H621545 and registration number: LND 696 CK; and a Toyota Corolla Saloon with Chassis No. 2T1BU40E49C142502;
and the sum of N1.1 million.
Tribune Online learnt that the items were recovered by the Advance Fee Fraud Section of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.
While handing over documents of the properties and papers to the vehicles to Attiogbe, Olukoyede said the recoveries were released to the victim as ordered by the court.
“Obeying court orders is mandatory, and as an agency of the federal government, we know the 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,” the EFCC chairman 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 and the professionalism and integrity displayed by officers of the Commission while carrying out their official responsibilities.
He stated: “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, having submitted my petition. And here we are today.”
It was gathered that 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.
Tribune Online further learnt that the judgment was delivered on November 13, 2024, in a fraud case that began in 2019.
Alli was found guilty of conniving with his syndicate and swindling the victim of his legitimate earnings to the tune of over N200 million on the pretext of providing spiritual cleansing to counter and erase visions of untimely death of the victim.
Alli was first prosecuted on a 33-count charge but 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 work with the Department of State Services (DSS), and that he would be of good behaviour without getting involved in any criminal activity again.
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