EFCC returns recovered assets worth millions to Australian woman defrauded in romance scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned assets recovered from a convicted romance scammer to an Australian woman, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of financial crimes and strengthening international confidence in the country’s anti-corruption efforts.

The recovered assets were formally handed over to Karo Rita Kazzi through her lawyer, Blessing Nwankwo, during a ceremony held at the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on Wednesday.

Among the assets returned to the victim are a Lexus RX350 SUV, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, a gold wedding ring, a gold chain with a cross pendant, and a one-storey building comprising six self-contained apartments located in the Ajah area of Lagos.

The assets were recovered from Odey Steven Aleka, who was prosecuted and convicted for romance scam and obtaining money by false pretence after defrauding the Australian woman during their marriage.

According to the EFCC, the case began after Kazzi, through her legal representative, petitioned the commission, alleging that Aleka fraudulently obtained money and valuable assets from her under false pretences while they were married.

The anti-graft agency launched an investigation, which uncovered evidence leading to Aleka’s arrest, prosecution and eventual conviction before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

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The court sentenced Aleka to one year imprisonment with an option of a N1 million fine and also ordered the final forfeiture of the recovered assets to the Federal Government for restitution to the victim.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Directorate 2, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, said the successful recovery demonstrates the commission’s commitment not only to prosecuting offenders but also to restoring stolen assets to victims whenever possible.

Kaltungo said the EFCC remains focused on ensuring that perpetrators of financial crimes do not benefit from the proceeds of their illegal activities, adding that asset recovery is a key component of the commission’s anti-corruption strategy.

He also commended the dedication of the investigators and prosecutors who handled the case, noting that the successful prosecution and restitution underscore the effectiveness of the commission’s efforts against cybercrime, romance fraud and other forms of financial crime.

Representing the victim, Blessing Nwankwo expressed appreciation to the EFCC for its professionalism and persistence throughout the investigation and prosecution. She described the return of the assets as a significant step toward justice for her client, who suffered financial and emotional losses as a result of the fraud.

The EFCC reiterated its warning to fraudsters involved in romance scams, internet fraud and other cyber-enabled crimes, stressing that offenders will continue to face investigation, prosecution, conviction and the forfeiture of illegally acquired assets.

The commission also urged members of the public, particularly those engaging in online relationships or cross-border financial transactions, to exercise caution, verify identities before making financial commitments and promptly report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

The latest restitution highlights the EFCC’s increasing emphasis on asset recovery as part of its broader mandate to combat economic and financial crimes. In recent years, the commission has recovered and returned assets to victims within and outside Nigeria through cooperation with local courts, foreign governments and international law enforcement partners.

EFCC returns recovered assets worth millions to Australian woman defrauded in romance scam

Mary Habila: NYCN gives David Umahi seven days to resign, threatens nationwide protest

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to suspend or compel the resignation of Minister of Works David Umahi over the death of 26-year-old physiotherapist Mary Habila, warning that it will mobilise nationwide protests if no action is taken.

The youth organisation said the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death warrant an independent, transparent and credible investigation, insisting that Umahi should step aside to allow security agencies to conduct an impartial probe without any perception of interference.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National President, Isah Abubakar, the NYCN called on the Nigeria Police Force to invite the minister for questioning as part of its ongoing investigation into the incident.

According to the group, the death of a young professional reportedly at the private residence of a serving cabinet minister has generated widespread public concern and should be thoroughly investigated in line with the provisions of the law.

The NYCN also urged the authorities to commission an independent autopsy, arguing that only a transparent forensic examination can establish the exact cause of Habila’s death and address the many questions surrounding the incident.

“While we acknowledge the Minister’s recent public statements demanding an autopsy, we believe any investigation should be conducted independently and transparently,” Abubakar said.

The council stressed that the investigation should examine all available medical, forensic and other relevant evidence to determine the circumstances leading to Habila’s death.

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According to Abubakar, reports in the public domain indicate that Habila died at Umahi’s private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, making it imperative for investigators to independently verify all claims and allegations through lawful procedures rather than speculation.

“A death occurring in the residence of a public office holder should be thoroughly investigated in line with the law to establish the facts,” he added.

The NYCN said it is acting in solidarity with civil society organisations and youth groups advocating justice and accountability in the case. It maintained that the investigation must be free from political influence and conducted in accordance with due process.

The group warned that failure by the Federal Government to suspend Umahi and commence what it described as a credible investigation within seven days would trigger coordinated protests across major cities in Nigeria.

“If the Federal Government fails to suspend Senator Dave Umahi and initiate what we consider a credible investigation within the next seven days, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, alongside allied civil society organisations and youth groups, will organise nationwide protests,” the statement said.

The latest development adds to growing calls for an independent investigation into Mary Habila’s death. Earlier, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) urged the Federal Government to establish an impartial probe into the incident and called on Umahi to temporarily step aside pending the outcome of investigations.

However, David Umahi has consistently denied allegations of any cover-up. The minister recently stated that Habila’s death was immediately reported to the police and that emergency medical personnel were contacted without delay.

Umahi has also publicly supported an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, saying a scientific investigation remains the best way to establish the facts. According to the minister, Habila and another physiotherapist were employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works before the incident occurred.

He has urged Nigerians to avoid speculation and allow security agencies to complete their investigation, insisting that he has cooperated fully with law enforcement authorities.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not released the outcome of its investigation, while the Federal Government had yet to officially respond to the NYCN’s seven-day ultimatum.

Mary Habila: NYCN gives David Umahi seven days to resign, threatens nationwide protest

Osun APC demands probe of alleged N130bn Ede Airport project

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified its criticism of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, alleging corruption in the execution of the N130 billion Ede Airport project and demanding the immediate publication of all financial records relating to the controversial infrastructure development.

In a statement issued by the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, the opposition party described the reported increase in the airport project’s contract sum from N99.5 billion to about N130 billion as “criminal,” insisting that the state government owes residents a detailed explanation for the cost variation.

According to the APC, reports indicating that a significant portion of the revised contract sum has already been paid have heightened concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

The party argued that the reported cost of the airport project exceeds the combined 2025 budgetary allocations to several critical sectors of Osun State’s economy, including education, healthcare and agriculture, raising questions about the government’s spending priorities.

The APC further accused the Adeleke administration of withholding key financial documents relating to the project, saying the lack of transparency has fuelled public suspicion.

Quoting from its statement, the party said allegations that the contractor handling the airport project is linked to a close associate of Dr Deji Adeleke, the governor’s elder brother, underscore the need for full public disclosure.

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“If the administration has nothing to hide, it should publish all relevant financial documents and provide a comprehensive breakdown of payments made on the airport project, the stage of execution, and the basis for the reported variation in contract cost,” the APC stated.

The opposition also alleged that the airport project could be politically motivated ahead of the forthcoming Osun governorship election, claiming it had received security reports suggesting that funds tied to the project could be used for vote-buying. However, the party did not present publicly verifiable evidence to support the allegation.

The APC maintained that any government confident in its stewardship should be prepared to subject its financial records to public scrutiny, insisting that openness is essential to strengthening public trust.

The latest accusations add to the growing controversy surrounding the Ede Airport project. In recent weeks, the APC has repeatedly questioned the project’s rising cost, the contract award process and the qualifications of the company handling the construction, calling on anti-corruption agencies to investigate the matter.

The Adeleke administration, however, has consistently defended the airport project, describing it as a strategic investment that will boost economic development, improve air connectivity, attract investors, create jobs and position Osun State as a regional hub for commerce, tourism and cargo operations.

Government officials have also dismissed previous allegations by the opposition, insisting that all infrastructure projects are being executed in accordance with due process and are distributed across the state’s three senatorial districts.

As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Government had not issued an official response to the APC’s latest allegations regarding the reported increase in the airport project’s cost or the demand for the release of its financial records.

Osun APC demands probe of alleged N130bn Ede Airport project