Romance Scam: EFCC Hands Over Forfeited Assets To Australian

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over assets recovered from a convicted romance scammer, Odey Steven Aleka, to an Australian victim, Karo Rita Kazzi, in a move aimed at ensuring restitution for victims of financial crimes.

The assets were presented on Wednesday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC to the victim through her legal representative, Blessing Nwankwo, following the completion of all legal processes.

Items handed over include a gold wedding ring, a gold chain with a cross pendant, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, a Lexus RX350 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), 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, said the Commission remains committed to ensuring that victims of economic and financial crimes receive justice and, where possible, recover assets fraudulently taken from them.

He also reaffirmed the anti-graft agency’s determination to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in romance scams and other financial crimes.

The assets were released following a final forfeiture order issued on March 12, 2024, by Justice O. A. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The case stemmed from a petition filed by Blessing Nwankwo of Woke Attorney Law Firm on behalf of Kazzi, who accused Aleka of defrauding her through false pretences during their marriage.

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EFCC investigations revealed that the convict fraudulently obtained valuables and other assets from the Australian through deceptive representations. After uncovering the alleged fraud, the victim initiated divorce proceedings and petitioned the Commission through her lawyer.

Following investigations, Aleka was arraigned on charges bordering on romance scam and obtaining by false pretence. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment, with the option of paying a ₦1 million fine.

The court further ordered the final forfeiture of all assets recovered from the convict to the Federal Government as restitution for the benefit of the Australian victim.

With all legal requirements fulfilled, the EFCC formally transferred the forfeited assets to the victim’s legal representative, bringing the restitution process to a close.