The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered $104,950 for a United States-based Nigerian businesswoman, Mrs Adeshola Oshilaja, following a dispute over funds provided for the procurement of 10 dump trucks from China.
The commission handed Oshilaja the final $56,000 on Friday at its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, Ikoyi, completing the recovery after an earlier repayment of $48,950 by her business associate, Babatunde Samuel Akinsanmi.
The recovery followed a petition alleging that Akinsanmi, a family friend and business associate of Oshilaja, failed to account for funds provided for the transaction.
According to the EFCC, Oshilaja transferred the money to two Chinese companies, Jinan Goneng Power Technology Company and China Howo Heavy Truck Industry Limited, on Akinsanmi’s instructions.
The commission said its investigation established that both parties signed a written agreement on July 25, 2023, in which Akinsanmi acknowledged receiving $104,950 for the purchase of the trucks.
Under the agreement, he undertook to refund the money by December 31, 2023.
However, six trucks were subsequently delivered to Akinsanmi in Nigeria.
Oshilaja alleged that he retained the vehicles for business use without remitting the proceeds to her, prompting the petition to the anti-graft agency.
Speaking through the Head of Public Affairs, DCE Ayo Oyewole, the Acting Zonal Director, ACE I Adebayo Adeniyi, said the recovery reflected the commission’s commitment to returning recovered funds and assets to their rightful owners through due process.
He said the EFCC would continue to investigate alleged financial crimes and pursue restitution for victims.
Oshilaja expressed gratitude to the commission after receiving the final payment.
“I am so happy and grateful for all the effort the EFCC has put towards the recovery of this money. I am a testament to what the EFCC is doing in Nigeria, and I can always rely on the fact that you are really working hard. May God bless you all,” she said.
The EFCC did not state in the account of the recovery whether criminal charges had been filed against Akinsanmi over the transaction.
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