The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday handed over a bank draft of N42 million to a Benin-based businessman, Ebesunun Edonojie, as part of funds recovered from fraudsters who defrauded him in a cement supply deal.
The presentation was done by the Acting Zonal Director, Benin Zonal Directorate, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad.
How the fraud happened
Mr Edonojie, who deals in cement, had in 2022 petitioned the commission alleging that Ogiemwonyi Godwin defrauded him of N175,392,000.
According to the petition, Mr Edonojie transferred N350,784,000 to Mr Godwin for the supply of 116 trucks of cement. However, only 58 trucks were supplied, leaving a balance of 58 trucks valued at N175,392,000.
During investigation, according to EFCC, operatives discovered that Mr Godwin transferred N280 million to Dangote Cement Company but diverted the balance of N70 million for his personal use and supplied 58 trucks leaving a balance of 58 trucks of cement.
After supplying 58 trucks, the suspect became inaccessible and unreachable.
The commission said through consistent efforts, operatives recovered N116 million, which was previously handed over to Mr Edonojie before recovery of additional N42 million.
Receiving the draft, according to the commission, Mr Edonojie expressed deep gratitude to the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, the Ag Zonal Director, Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad and the entire staff of EFCC at the Directorate for the wonderful work.
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He said he lost hope completely about ever recovering the money as the suspect became inaccessible. “I lost hope completely. I did not even believe that I could recover the money as the man (suspect) was nowhere to be found. I am more than grateful to the EFCC, the Chairman, the Zonal Director and the entire EFCC, for the good work they are doing.
“It is only God that can reward you all. EFCC has become my saving grace and I am going to tell everybody how the EFCC saved me. I could not sleep because I borrowed the money. EFCC has wiped away my tears.” he said.
Presenting the draft, the Ag Zonal Director, assured that the commission will continue to discharge its duties professionally to ensure justice for all.
“We will continue to discharge our duties professionally and responsibly by ensuring that fraudulent people do not get away with their crime and that innocent people do not suffer unjustly.”
