The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a draft of recovered N80,000,000 to Ifeanyi Innocent Madueke.

In a statement on Thursday, the commission’s zonal director, Benin Zonal Directorate, Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, said the money was recovered from Austine Muanya Okafor, who allegedly sold landed property to Mr Madueke without delivering the property to him.  

According to the statement, Mr Madueke, a 42-year-old businessman, purchased 146 acres of land for N232,800,000 from Mr Okafor in a community in Delta State, but all efforts to take ownership of the land proved impossible.

“When Madueke could not take possession of the said property, he approached Okafor for the refund of his money but met a brick wall. He consequently petitioned the Commission,” the EFCC said.

The commission explained that an investigation showed that Mr Madueke transferred the money to the suspects in three tranches.

Mr Sa’ad reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to discharging its duties professionally and with utmost integrity.

Mr Madueke expressed gratitude to the commission, adding he had almost lost hope before he petitioned the commission. 

“I am grateful to the commission for what they have done. I had lost hope before I came to EFCC. I thank the management and staff for the good work they are doing,” he stated.