The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that investors who put money into the recently collapsed CBEX digital trading platform will recover their funds.
During an appearance on Channels TV’s Morning Brief on Wednesday, April 16, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s spokesperson, revealed that the agency has been inundated with calls from Nigerians seeking clarity and solutions regarding the CBEX situation.
He noted that the EFCC had already identified the platform and issued warnings about potential ponzi schemes prior to the public’s outcry and inquiries.
“We were not waiting for Nigerians to call us before we started our work, of course, we have been working,” Oyewale said.
“We were not caught off guard by what actually happened. Our dragnet is wide, our intelligence is very effective, and we were tracking that digital trading platform.
“We were tracking it, we profiled quite a number of things concerning the platform. You will recall that March 11th this year, the executive chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, had call to instruct us to alert Nigerians.”
The spokesperson highlighted that in March, the commission listed approximately 58 ponzi scheme companies, cautioning Nigerians to steer clear of them.
“That shows that we are proactive and we have our hands on what is happening. So concerning this investigation, we were on it, it’s not that we didn’t know,” he said.
“We’ve been alerting Nigerians about ways and means how to separate themselves from this kind of shenanigans.
“Before the calls came, we were working, while the calls are coming, we are working; And even after the calls, we are still working.
“The essential thing is that, of course, we are going to recall some of the things that Nigerians should be looking out for, you know, concerning this kind of investment schemes and all of that.”
Oyewale went on to reassure investors that their funds would be retrieved, although the process might require some time.
“No, it will be very irresponsible and unprofessional if the EFCC says that you have lost your money; there is nothing the commission can do about it,” the spokesperson said.
“We are already working with Interpol and our international development agencies to ensure that these people are brought to book.
“Investors are going to get their money back, and we are already working on that. Everything I’m saying is this kind of thing could have been averted.
“Be it as it may, it was not averted, we are not going to throw our hands out helplessly and say that there’s nothing EFCC can do about it.
“We are more responsible and professional than that. We have spread out our wings by talking to Interpol and the necessary agencies across the world to be able to bring all the actors to book, and investors will have their money back.”
Oyewale emphasized that while the recovery of investments might not happen immediately, the EFCC is committed to ensuring investors do not lose their money.
“Investors, they’re going to have their money back. It might not be in the short term, but I can assure you that the commission, as the leading anti-corruption agency in Nigeria, is not going to allow investors to just lose their money laundering that,” he said.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli