Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has handed over forfeited assets recovered from a convicted romance scammer to an Australian citizen, Karo Rita Kazzi, who was defrauded by her Nigerian husband, Odey Steven Aleka, through false representations during their marriage. The handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, where the assets were formally transferred to the victim through her counsel, Blessing Nwankwo of Woke Attorney Law Firm. The assets include a gold wedding ring, a gold chain with a cross pendant, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, a Lexus RX350 Sport Utility Vehicle, and a one-storey building comprising six room-and-parlour self-contained apartments located along the Emedu–Awoyaya axis of Ajah, Lagos State.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to ensuring that victims of economic and financial crimes obtain justice and, where possible, recover assets fraudulently obtained from them. He reiterated the EFCC's resolve to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of such crimes, emphasising that the Commission would continue to pursue justice for victims regardless of their nationality.
The handover followed a final forfeiture order granted by Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on March 12, 2024. The case arose from allegations of romance scam and obtaining by false pretence against Aleka. The petition was submitted to the Commission by Nwankwo on behalf of the Australian victim, who alleged that she had been defrauded by the convict. Investigations revealed that the convict, who had been married to the victim, fraudulently obtained valuables and other assets from her through false representations.
Following the discovery of the fraudulent scheme, the victim engaged the services of her lawyer, who initiated divorce proceedings and subsequently petitioned the EFCC. Upon the conclusion of investigations, the Commission arraigned Aleka on charges bordering on romance scam and obtaining by false pretence. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment, with an option of a fine of ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira). The court also ordered the final forfeiture of all assets recovered from the convict to the Federal Government of Nigeria as restitution for the benefit of the Australian victim. The Commission thereafter completed all legal processes required for the release of the forfeited assets, culminating in their handover to the victim through her legal representative on Wednesday.
The handover marks a significant milestone in the fight against romance scams and other forms of cyber fraud that have increasingly become a global menace. Romance scams, where perpetrators build emotional relationships with victims to defraud them of money or valuables, have become increasingly prevalent, with many victims losing significant sums of money to perpetrators operating across international borders. The EFCC's successful recovery and handover of the forfeited assets to the Australian victim serves as a testament to the agency's commitment to pursuing justice for victims of financial crimes.
The EFCC has urged members of the public to be cautious when engaging in online relationships and to report suspicious activities to the Commission. The agency reiterated its commitment to investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of romance scams and other forms of fraud, while also ensuring that victims receive justice and, where possible, recover their assets. The handover of the assets to the Australian victim is a significant step forward in the global fight against romance scams, demonstrating that perpetrators can be held accountable, and victims can achieve restitution through effective law enforcement and international cooperation.
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