EFCC Recovers And Returns N42.5 Million To 70-Year-Old Widow Defrauded By Banker In Kaduna

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned a recovered sum of N42.5 million to a 70-year-old widow and retiree, Mrs. Margret Taye Odofin, who was defrauded by her account and investment officer, Mrs. Kehinde Olawale Yusuf, a staff of a new-generation bank.

The symbolic handover of the recovered funds took place on Thursday at the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. The Acting Zonal Director, Bawa Kaltungo, presented the bank draft to the victim on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

According to the EFCC, Mrs. Odofin had petitioned the Commission in December 2024, alleging that her banker, Mrs. Yusuf, lured her into investing in fictitious Ponzi schemes between November and December 2020, promising a quarterly return of N1.7 million. Unbeknownst to the widow, Yusuf had illegally siphoned N47 million from her account into various personal and third-party accounts.

After the fraudulent transactions came to light, Yusuf severed communication with the victim and fled to the United Kingdom. Despite her escape, EFCC investigators were able to trace and recover N42.5 million of the stolen funds.

An emotional Mrs. Odofin expressed profound gratitude to the Commission and its leadership for restoring her hope and recovering her life savings.

“I cannot believe this is real. When we reported the case in the United Kingdom after Mrs. Kehinde Yusuf absconded, they told us to contact the EFCC since the crime was committed in Nigeria. Today, I am singing praises to God because He has used the EFCC to wipe away my tears. I waited for years to get my hard-earned money back,” she said.

“I want to thank Mr. Ola Olukoyede for the excellent job he is doing. I will campaign for the EFCC anywhere because they have proven that they are truly working. May God bless you all.”

Presenting the recovered funds, Kaltungo reaffirmed the EFCC’s dedication under Olukoyede’s leadership to securing justice for victims of financial crimes.

“We appreciate your confidence in the Commission to help you recover your hard-earned money. We are pleased that we have demonstrated our professionalism and capacity to deliver justice within our mandate,” he stated.

The case highlights the EFCC’s continuing efforts to protect vulnerable citizens from financial exploitation and ensure restitution for victims of fraud across Nigeria.