The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned N96.5 million to victims of a Ponzi scheme in Enugu State, reaffirming its commitment to recovering stolen funds and ensuring justice for defrauded Nigerians.
The restitution took place on Thursday, December 4, 2025, according to the Commission.
The EFCC said the recovery followed a petition dated September 30, 2024, filed by Chijioke Ngwu and others against Oyubu Clement Akpojewve, also known as Justice Nonso Chima, Managing Director of Leverage Index Limited.
According to the petitioners, Akpojewve deceived them into investing in a fraudulent forex trading scheme. “He presented offers to prospective investors in two formats; what he called the Monthly Plan and another one called Live Trading,” they said.
Under the so-called Monthly Plan, investors were asked to transfer a minimum of N2.5 million into a UBA account for forex trading, with a promised monthly return of N200,000 or 8 percent. The Live Trading format required investors to transfer funds for a same-day trading session, with a guaranteed 10 percent return the next day.
The petitioners said Akpojewve claimed to be a licensed forex trader but became evasive shortly after collecting funds. “He started with excuses bordering on disagreement with his trading partners and before we knew it, he shut down his office and became unreachable,” they reported.
Following the petition, EFCC operatives launched an investigation that uncovered a conspiracy to defraud investors. The Commission said Akpojewve and his associates funneled victims’ funds through multiple bank accounts to conceal the final destination of the money.
While handing over bank drafts to the victims, EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Enugu Zonal Director, Commander CE Daniel Isei, restated the Commission’s commitment to justice.
“This should also serve as a lesson. We should be more circumspect. Some offers can look too good to be real. We should not be in a hurry to double our money overnight,” he said.
He added: “I hope this serves as encouragement that the EFCC is working for you as Nigerians and also a learning point for everyone.”
One of the beneficiaries, Ukwu Ernest Ikechukwu, who received a N19.9 million draft, praised the transparency of the EFCC.
“Nobody asked me to give him one naira. Kudos to EFCC. This is the first time I’m aware that a government agency can actually work,” he said. “If every other agency can emulate the EFCC, I don’t think we will have problems in this country.”
