EFCC Hands Over Forfeited Assets to Australian Victim of Romance Scam in Lagos
EFCC Hands Over Forfeited Assets to Australian Victim of Romance Scam in Lagos
EFCC Hands Over Forfeited Assets to Australian Victim of Romance Scam in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over assets recovered from a convicted romance scammer, Odey Steven Aleka, to an Australian woman, Karo Rita Kazzi, through her legal representative, Blessing Nwankwo.
The handover took place on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, following the completion of legal processes arising from the conviction of Aleka for romance scam and obtaining by false pretence.
The recovered assets include a gold wedding ring, a gold chain with a cross pendant, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, a Lexus RX350 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 at 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 securing justice for victims of economic and financial crimes and recovering assets fraudulently obtained from them.
He also restated the EFCC’s determination to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in financial crimes.
The case followed a petition submitted to the EFCC by Nwankwo of Woke Attorney Law Firm on behalf of the Australian victim, who alleged that Aleka had defrauded her.
EFCC investigations revealed that Aleka, who had been married to the victim, obtained valuables and other assets from her through fraudulent representations.
Following the discovery of the alleged scheme, the victim engaged legal counsel, who commenced divorce proceedings and subsequently petitioned the EFCC.
At the conclusion of investigations, Aleka was arraigned and convicted on charges bordering on romance scam and obtaining by false pretence. He was sentenced to one year imprisonment, with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
The Special Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, presided over by Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe, had earlier ordered the final forfeiture of the recovered assets to the Federal Government as restitution for the benefit of the victim on March 12, 2024.
The EFCC subsequently completed the required legal procedures for the release of the assets, culminating in their handover to the victim through her legal representative.
EFCC Hands Over Forfeited Assets to Australian Victim of Romance Scam in Lagos
