EFCC hands over recovered N42.5m to 70-year-old widow defrauded by her account officer in Kaduna

Special Feature: Justice Restored - EFCC Returns N42.5 Million to Defrauded Widow in Kaduna

In a poignant moment of justice and resilience, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a recovered sum of ₦42.5 million to Mrs. Margret Taye Odofin, a 70-year-old widow and retiree who fell victim to a cruel financial deception.

The handover took place on November 6, 2025, at the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, where Acting Director Bawa Kaltungo presented the bank draft on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

Mrs. Odofin’s ordeal began in late 2020 when her trusted account and investment officer, Mrs. Kehinde Olawale Yusuf, working at a new generation bank, persuaded her to invest in what turned out to be fictitious Ponzi schemes.

Promising quarterly returns of ₦1.7 million, Yusuf exploited the widow’s trust and siphoned a staggering ₦47 million from her account, transferring the funds to various other accounts without her consent. When confronted, Yusuf severed all communication and fled to the United Kingdom, leaving Mrs. Odofin devastated and financially drained.

Despite the international flight of the suspect, the EFCC launched a thorough investigation and successfully traced and recovered a significant portion of the stolen funds. 

The Commission’s commitment to justice and its relentless pursuit of financial criminals culminated in this emotional restitution. Mrs. Odofin, overwhelmed with gratitude, praised the EFCC and its leadership for their unwavering support and for restoring a measure of dignity and hope in her life.

This case stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of institutional accountability and the role of anti-corruption agencies in protecting vulnerable citizens. It also highlights the need for financial literacy and vigilance, especially among retirees and the elderly, who are often targeted by fraudsters.

As the EFCC continues its mission to combat economic crimes, stories like Mrs. Odofin’s offer a glimmer of hope and a testament to the impact of justice served.