The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over three houses, two cars, and N1.1 million recovered from a convicted fake spiritualist and advance fee fraudster, Fatai Olalere Alli, popularly known as Baba Abore or Baba Osun, to his victim, Mr. Daniel Babatunde Attiogbe, in Ibadan.
The properties and cash were officially presented to the victim by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Ibadan, Assistant Commander Hauwa Garba Ringim, on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, during a brief ceremony at the Commission’s conference hall.
The recovery and restitution followed a final forfeiture order issued by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on November 13, 2024. The order was made after Alli was found guilty of defrauding Attiogbe of more than N200 million, under the guise of performing spiritual cleansing to prevent a supposed untimely death.
According to the EFCC, the properties recovered from the convicted fraudster include:
A five-bedroom duplex with a three-bedroom bungalow at Kasumu Village, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan.
A bungalow with two sets of three-bedroom flats at Plot 182, Block D, Lapiti Layout, Akanran Road, Amuloko, Ibadan.
A three-bedroom bungalow at Idi Ayunre Village, Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan.
In addition, the EFCC recovered two cars — a grey Honda Pilot SUV with registration number LND 696 CK and chassis number 2HKY18414H621545, and a Toyota Corolla saloon car with chassis number 2T1BU40E49C142502 — as well as N1.1 million in cash.
While presenting the documents and car papers to the victim, Mr. Olukoyede, through the Zonal Director, said the EFCC remains committed to transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
“Obeying court orders is mandatory, and as an agency of the Federal Government, we understand its importance. This handover is an indication that the EFCC operates strictly within the law,” Olukoyede said.
He assured Nigerians that the Commission would continue to tackle economic and financial crimes across the country, adding that no fraudster would go unpunished.
“I want to assure you that the EFCC will continue to combat economic and financial crimes head-on and will stop at nothing to ensure that anyone tarnishing Nigeria’s image through fraudulent activities is brought to justice,” he said.
Receiving the documents, Mr. Attiogbe expressed appreciation to the EFCC for its commitment and professionalism.
“Sincerely, I want to thank the EFCC, especially the Ibadan Zonal Office, for its unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption. I almost gave up, but the EFCC rekindled my hope after I submitted my petition, and here we are today,” he said.
He praised the Commission for ensuring that victims of fraud receive justice and encouraged other Nigerians who have been defrauded to report such cases instead of suffering in silence.
According to the EFCC, the fraud case dates back to 2019, when Alli and members of his syndicate deceived Attiogbe into believing that he needed spiritual cleansing to avert an imminent untimely death. Over time, they allegedly collected more than N200 million from him under various false pretenses.
Alli was initially arraigned on a 33-count charge but the case was later amended to a single count of obtaining money under false pretence during the trial.
Justice Agomoh convicted Alli and sentenced him to three years imprisonment. He was also ordered to sign an undertaking with the Department of State Services (DSS) to be of good behaviour and to refrain from engaging in any criminal activities after his release.
The EFCC said the restitution was not only a victory for the victim but also a warning to others involved in fraudulent activities, especially those hiding under the cover of religion or spirituality to exploit unsuspecting Nigerians.
The Commission reaffirmed that it would continue to trace, seize, and return assets illegally acquired from victims of fraud and corruption.
