The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N96.5 million to victims of Ponzi schemes in Enugu State.
Spokesperson of the Commission, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Oyewale stated that the move was consistent with the anti-graft agency’s mission to combat economic and financial crimes and ensure reparation for victims of fraudulent schemes.
He stated that the commission got a petition dated September 30, 2024, from Chijioke Ngwu and others against one Oyubu Akpojewve, also known as Justice Nonso Chima, Managing Director of Leverage Index Limited.
Oyewale stated that the petitioners claimed Akpojewve duped them into investing the funds in a Ponzi scheme.
“He presented offers to prospective investors in two formats: what he called the Monthly Plan and another one called Live Trading.
”The Monthly Plan required that an investor transfer a minimum sum of N2.5 million or more to a UBA account number for the firm to use and trade in forex.
“After this, a monthly profit of N200,000.00, or eight percent of the total money invested, is given to the investor, while the initial capital of N2.5 million or more is retained for further monthly trading if the investor so wishes.”
“The Live Trading format is such that an investor transfers any amount of money to Leverage Index into the said account for a live trading session on a designated day for the firm to trade with on the same designated day and remit 10 percent of the total sum transferred initially as profit to the investor the next day,” the petitioners said.
According to the petitioners, after investing the aforementioned quantity, Akpojewve, who portrayed himself as a registered forex trader trading in foreign exchange, began making excuses about disagreements with his trading partners, and before they knew it, he closed his business and became inaccessible.
According to Oyewale, commission agents acted quickly and determined that Akpojewve colluded with his associates to swindle unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money.
While handing over the seized funds to the victims, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede emphasized the commission’s commitment to combating economic and financial crimes.
Olukayode, represented by the Commission’s Enugu Zonal Director, Mr. Daniel Isei, stated that the commission will continue to ensure that fraudsters do not profit from their crimes and that victims get their lost funds and assets.
“My own final word, beyond giving you the draft, is that this should also serve as a lesson. We should be more circumspect. We should be more vigilant during every business proposal.
”Some can look too good to be real. We should not be in a hurry to double our money overnight. I think we should learn from this, and we should also take it home and talk to our friends, family, and children.
“I hope this will serve as encouragement that EFCC is working for you as Nigerians, and secondly, to take home that this is a learning point for you.”
Ukwu Ernest Ikechukwu, one of the victims of Akpojewve who received a N19.9 million draft, praised the commission for its professionalism and integrity in carrying out its duties.
Another receiver of the recovered assets, Ikechukwu Ogbunubi, who received N10 million, praised the commission for its tireless efforts in recovering all of the money.
Other awardees include Temple Lewis Maduka (N7.5 million), Ngwu A (N19.4 million), and Alphonsus Umeh (N7 million).
