Society Editor
By Tolu Adesuwa Igiehon
In a major victory for justice and victims’ rights, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over three properties, two luxury vehicles, and ₦1.1 million in cash to Mr. Daniel Babatunde Attiogbe, a fraud victim who lost over ₦200 million to a notorious fake spiritualist operating in Ibadan.
The restitution followed a final forfeiture order issued by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, directing that assets recovered from the convicted fraudster, Fatai Olalere Alli, popularly known as Baba Abore or Baba Osun, be returned to the rightful owner.
The assets, recovered by the Advance Fee Fraud Section of the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Directorate, were formally presented to Mr. Attiogbe at a brief but symbolic ceremony held in the Commission’s conference hall on Wednesday.
Details of the Recovered Assets
The properties returned to the victim include:
-
A five-bedroom duplex with an adjoining three-bedroom bungalow at Kasumu Village, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan.
-
A two-unit, three-bedroom bungalow located on Plot 182, Block D, Lapiti Layout, Akanran Road, Amuloko, Ibadan.
-
A three-bedroom bungalow situated at Idi Ayunre Village, Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan.
Additionally, two vehicles were handed over:
-
A grey Honda Pilot SUV (Chassis No. 2HKY18414H621545, Registration No. LND 696 CK).
-
A Toyota Corolla Saloon (Chassis No. 2T1BU40E49C142502).
The restitution also included a cash balance of ₦1.1 million, part of the funds recovered during the EFCC’s investigation.
EFCC Reaffirms Commitment to Justice
Speaking during the handover ceremony, EFCC Chairman Mr. Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Hauwa Garba Ringim, said the restitution was a demonstration of the Commission’s dedication to justice and adherence to the rule of law.
“Obeying court orders is mandatory. As an agency of the Federal Government, we operate strictly within the law. Today’s handover reaffirms the EFCC’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice,” Olukoyede said.
“We remain resolute in our fight against economic and financial crimes and will continue to ensure that victims of fraud are not denied restitution.”
Victim Expresses Gratitude
Receiving the documents of ownership, a visibly emotional Mr. Attiogbe expressed deep gratitude to the EFCC for its perseverance in pursuing the case, which began in 2019.
“I almost gave up hope,” he said. “But the EFCC rekindled my faith in justice. I am grateful to the Ibadan Zonal Office for standing firm in ensuring that I got back what was rightfully mine.”
The Fraud Case: A Six-Year Battle
The case against Fatai Olalere Alli began in 2019 after Mr. Attiogbe reported being defrauded of over ₦200 million under the guise of a “spiritual cleansing” ritual meant to avert an alleged vision of sudden death.
The EFCC investigated and arraigned Alli on a 33-count charge, later amended to a single count of fraud. After a lengthy trial, he was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in 2024. The court also ordered the final forfeiture of his ill-gotten assets and directed him to enter into an undertaking with the Department of State Services (DSS) to maintain good conduct and refrain from future criminal activities.
Justice Restored
Observers have described the EFCC’s restitution as a landmark victory for financial crime victims and a sign of growing institutional accountability. The case highlights the Commission’s evolving focus — not just on convicting fraudsters, but also on ensuring that victims are made whole.
With this restitution, the EFCC has once again demonstrated that justice in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive is not only about punishment but also about restoration and fairness.
