The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned an additional N42 million to a businessman, Ebesunun Mathew Edonojie, as part of ongoing recoveries from a cement supply fraud that left him with losses exceeding N175 million.
The bank draft was presented on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate, Deputy Commander Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, following the Commission’s latest recovery efforts.
Edonojie, a cement dealer, had petitioned the anti-graft agency in 2022, alleging that Ogiemwonyi Godwin defrauded him during a cement supply transaction. According to the petition, he paid N350.784 million for the delivery of 116 truckloads of cement, but only 58 trucks were supplied, leaving him with an outstanding balance valued at N175.392 million.
Investigations by the EFCC revealed that while the suspect paid N280 million to Dangote Cement Company for part of the order, he diverted the remaining N70 million for personal use. After supplying only half of the agreed quantity, the suspect reportedly disappeared and became unreachable.
Despite the suspect’s disappearance, the Commission continued its investigation and asset recovery efforts. Before the latest recovery, the EFCC had already returned N116 million to the victim. The additional N42 million now raises the total amount recovered and handed over to N158 million.
Speaking after receiving the bank draft, Edonojie expressed appreciation to the EFCC, describing the recovery as a lifeline after he had completely given up hope.
“I lost hope completely. I did not even believe that I could recover the money as the man (suspect) was nowhere to be found. I am more than grateful to the EFCC, the Chairman, the Zonal Director and the entire EFCC, for the good work they are doing. It is only God that can reward you all. EFCC has become my saving grace and I am going to tell everybody how the EFCC saved me. I could not sleep because I borrowed the money. EFCC has wiped away my tears,” he said.
Presenting the cheque, Sa’ad reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of financial crimes and preventing fraudsters from profiting from criminal acts.
“We will continue to discharge our duties professionally and responsibly by ensuring that fraudulent people do not get away with their crime and that innocent people do not suffer unjustly,” he said.
