The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has officially returned three properties, two luxury vehicles, and a sum of ₦1.1 million recovered from a notorious fake spiritualist and advance fee fraudster, Fatai Olalere Alli, to the victim, Daniel Babatunde Attiogbe.
The recovery was made by the Advance Fee Fraud Section of the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Directorate.
According to a statement released by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the assets include a five-bedroom duplex with an adjoining three-bedroom bungalow located at Kasumu Village, Odo-ona Elewe, Ibadan; a bungalow consisting of two sets of three-bedroom flats at Plot 182, Block D, Lapiti Layout, Akanran Road, Amuko, Ibadan; and a three-bedroom bungalow situated at Idi Ayunre Village in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Also returned were a grey Honda Pilot SUV with chassis number 2HKY18414H621545 and registration number LND 696 CK, alongside a Toyota Corolla Saloon car with chassis number 2T1BU40E49C142502.
The handover ceremony took place at the EFCC Ibadan Directorate’s Conference Hall, where the Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander Hauwa Garba Ringim, represented the Executive Chairman in presenting the documents and keys to the rightful owner.
Olukoyede, in his remarks, emphasized that the return of the recovered assets was in strict compliance with a court order. “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,” he said.
He further assured Nigerians that the Commission remains unwavering in its resolve to tackle economic and financial crimes. “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,” he added.
While receiving the “Letter of Release” and property documents, Attiogbe expressed profound gratitude to the EFCC for its relentless efforts and professionalism throughout the process. “Sincerely, I want to thank the EFCC, especially 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,” he said.
The restitution followed a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court in Ibadan. The judgment, delivered on November 13, 2024, concluded a fraud case that began in 2019, where Alli was convicted for defrauding Attiogbe of over ₦200 million under the guise of performing spiritual cleansing to avert supposed visions of his untimely death.
Originally charged with thirty-three counts, Alli’s case was later amended to a single count during trial. He was subsequently sentenced to three years imprisonment and directed to sign an undertaking with the Department of State Services (DSS) promising to maintain good conduct and abstain from future criminal acts.
What You Should Know
The EFCC’s restitution to Daniel Babatunde Attiogbe underscores the Commission’s dedication to ensuring justice for victims of fraud.
The case against Fatai Olalere Alli highlights how deceptive spiritual claims are used to exploit innocent individuals, reaffirming the EFCC’s role in upholding transparency and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
