A victim of Advanced Fee Fraud otherwise known as Yahoo-Yahoo has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to beam his searchlight on the country’s top anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
A German, who does not want her name to appear in print, is lamenting alleged suppression and delay of justice by the EFCC after being duped by a Nigerian a whopping sum of one hundred and thirty thousand Euros (€130,000)
Her sad ordeal began in 2018 when she had an encounter with the suspect on the internet.
The European victim revealed to our correspondent that for over three years the matter was reported to the agency and subsequently charged to court, the agency has been technically delaying the matter.
“I made a report to EFCC in March 2021. But in October 2021 the guy was arrested for the first time by EFCC after I kept them on pressure. And after he paid bail he came out of jail and nothing happend until I kept EFCC officials under pressure in April 2023.”
She revealed further, “the accused (name withheld) was arrested again. I was thereafter invited for the statement in October 2023.”
While trying to press further for justice, in the face of alleged judicial suppression and victimisation, she had to come to Nigeria to give physical witness in the case twice, “yet the Abuja EFCC are not taking the case seriously,” she postulated.
The woman who confided in our correspondent said she has been having sleepless nights for many months now, adding that she is afraid that they may have been compromised.
She explained that since he returned part of the money (proceed) to the agency, the officials refused to give her or disclosed how much has been so far returned by the victim.
“I would like to ask the question, why it is taking so long for the confiscated money from the perpetrators to be held by the EFCC before the victims are refunded. I would also like to ask the question why court dates are constantly being postponed, thereby further subjecting victims to psychological torture.
“EFCC promised me they will give me the first money they confiscated. We made an application almost six months ago. But nothing has happened until now and the appointment on court has burst on twice.
“I finally want a verdict and my money back,” the victim proclaimed.
Her disposition may not be far from the lamentation of the agency’s chairman in January accusing his men of craze for gratification and bribes among the commission’s investigators.
Olukoyede made this disclosure in January during his New Year address to staff members of the anti-graft agency at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Beyond lamentable statements, the victim who had several times attempted suicides, said there was need for the head of the anti graft agency to help remodel, rebuild and instill trust of Nigeria in the international community by personally following up this matter.
According to her, “they should not be seen as those who will batter the already battered image of Nigerians before the world. Nigeria should not be seen as a nation covering or shielding criminals, that accelerated hearing and justice should be seen and not these unnecessary delays.
“This is where the President of the country should come in. He can’t fold his hands with these things happening. Let him call the chairman of the agency to order. He may not be involved directly. Those working under him should be investigated to ensure the justice meant for Nigerians and others including foreigners like wouldn’t be suppressed.”
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