EFCC returns property recovered from internet crook to American woman

By Iyojo Ameh

In a significant move, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully returned recovered assets to an American victim, Cheryldene Cook, who had fallen prey to a convicted fraudster known as Aisosa Ohue, operating under the alias Frederick Leonard.

This development was officially announced by the commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement released on a Friday in Abuja.

Among the recovered assets handed over to Cheryldene Cook was a substantial sum of N19 million, along with a three-bedroom semi-detached duplex situated in Ward 36A Amagba Community within the Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

Additionally, the assets included a luxurious Lexus E350 saloon car, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and a Samsung A31 phone.

The presentation of these valuable items to the victim took place in Abuja and was carried out by the Zonal Commander, ACE I Adebayo Adeniyi, as well as the Head of the Advanced Fee Fraud Section 1, ACE II Jimoh Rauf.

Cheryldene Cook, who had traveled from the United States of America specifically to receive these recovered assets, was accompanied to the EFCC by her legal representative, Dr. Mike Nwosu. During the handover, she expressed her profound gratitude to the commission for its dedicated efforts in recovering her losses.

This development followed a court order issued by Justice C.E Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuje, in January. The court had ruled in favor of the forfeiture of the said property after Aisosa Ohue was convicted on a three-count charge, including obtaining money by false pretense. The conviction arose from Ohue’s deceitful operation in a love scam, where he masqueraded as the renowned actor Frederick Leonard, ultimately deceiving and defrauding the victim, Cheryldene Cook.