EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of $163,592 in US Fraud Case
Nigerian court orders forfeiture of funds obtained through impersonation and fraudulent legal settlement schemes.
1Final Forfeiture Order Granted
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Judge M. S. Liman, issued a final forfeiture order for $163,592. This judicial decision follows an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The funds, traced to a domiciliary account, were deemed proceeds of criminal activity rather than legitimate business transactions.
2Impersonation Scheme Uncovered
Akpasi Oziegbe allegedly impersonated Edward Campbell, a former employee of Applied Industrial Technologies. Posing as the victim of a workplace accident, Oziegbe contacted the US law firm Steven J. Mandel Co. in June 2022. He demanded a settlement payment, successfully deceiving the firm into transferring the funds to his account.
3Discovery of Fraudulent Transaction
The fraud was exposed when JPMorgan Chase Bank notified the law firm that the settlement cheque was fictitious and altered. Upon verification with Applied Industrial Technologies, the firm reported the incident to the FBI and US Secret Service. Simultaneously, United Bank for Africa flagged the incoming transaction as highly suspicious.
4Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The EFCC launched an investigation in May 2024 after Oziegbe filed a petition accusing bank officials of conspiracy. However, evidence provided by the FBI proved the funds were illicit. The court initially froze the account in September 2024, followed by an interim forfeiture order issued on 15 August 2025.
5Failure to Prove Ownership
Oziegbe claimed the $163,592 represented payment for materials supplied to the United States. Despite these assertions, he failed to provide any supporting documentation to the court or the EFCC. Consequently, the judge ruled that Oziegbe could not establish legitimate ownership, justifying the final forfeiture of the entire sum.
6Restitution to Affected Firm
The court directed that the forfeited funds be returned to the victimized law firm, Steven J. Mandel Co., through the Federal Government of Nigeria. This process ensures that the proceeds of the impersonation scheme are restored to the rightful party, concluding the legal proceedings initiated by the commission's prosecution team.
7Regulatory and Banking Response
United Bank for Africa played a critical role by placing a lien on the funds after confirming the transaction was fraudulent with Citi Bank. This proactive measure prevented the withdrawal of the money. The EFCC has since declared Akpasi Oziegbe a wanted person in connection with the ongoing criminal investigation.
8Broader Implications of Fraud
This case highlights the persistent challenge of cross-border financial crimes involving Nigerian entities and international firms. The successful collaboration between the EFCC and US authorities, including the FBI, demonstrates the importance of international intelligence sharing. Such judicial outcomes serve as a deterrent against sophisticated identity theft and financial fraud.
Original article: Premium Times Nigeria — EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of $163,592 in US Fraud Case