Ola Olukoyede made the revelation during the launch of two books authored by retired High Court judge Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye.
According to him, the judge reached out to him around 1 a.m. after receiving multiple debit alerts from her account.
He explained that the stolen funds were savings the judge had accumulated over six years to finance her child’s education.
Olukoyede said the victim had already lost about ₦7.2 million before seeking his intervention.
He further disclosed that the incident happened in a state where the EFCC had been restricted by a court order from probing certain financial crimes.
Despite the challenge, he said the judge insisted the matter required urgent action, prompting the commission to move quickly.
According to the EFCC chairman, the agency was able to recover the entire amount before the end of the same day.
Reflecting on the incident, Olukoyede said the case highlights the seriousness of financial crimes and the importance of stronger efforts to combat cyber fraud.
He called for closer collaboration between law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and the public in addressing cybercrime, while also urging lawmakers to review Nigeria’s legal framework to support the use of artificial intelligence in criminal investigations.
Olukoyede noted that current laws make it difficult for AI-generated evidence to be admitted in court and stressed the need for legal reforms in that area.
At the event, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, also urged anti-corruption agencies to intensify efforts toward recovering stolen public funds kept outside the country.
Cybercrime, particularly internet fraud popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo,” has remained one of Nigeria’s biggest security and economic concerns, with thousands of citizens falling victim to online scams, account hacks, and financial theft each year.
In recent years, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has intensified its crackdown on cybercriminals, arresting and prosecuting suspected fraudsters across different parts of the country as authorities continue to warn about the growing sophistication of online scams.
The rise of digital banking and mobile transactions has also made financial crimes more widespread, exposing both ordinary citizens and high-profile individuals to cyber threats.
The latest revelation by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has once again highlighted how no one is immune to cyber fraud, while reinforcing calls for stronger laws, improved digital security, and closer cooperation among security agencies to combat the growing menace.
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