The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
removed Elie Bitar, a foreign national, from the wanted list for crypto bridge
exchange (CBEX) fraud.
On April 30, the anti-graft agency declared Bitar wanted
over the alleged fraud perpetrated on the CBEX trading platform.
The EFCC published the wanted notice across social media
platforms.
In the now-deleted notice, the anti-graft agency mentioned
Bitar’s age as 41, while his last known address is at “Eng. George Enemoh
Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos State”.
In April, reports emerged that CBEX users could no longer
withdraw their funds, after which many Nigerians who had invested in the
platform reportedly lost their funds.
The anti-graft agency had previously declared eight
Nigerians wanted for the alleged CBEX fraud. The suspects are Adefowora Abiodun
Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Johnson Okiroh
Otieno, Israel Mbaluka, Joseph Michiro Kabera, and Serah Michiro.
Recently, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ)
published a report stating that the EFCC had erroneously declared Bitar wanted
because the name of his company — CBEX Solutions Limited — is similar to the
fraudulent scheme.
Bitar co-founded CBEX Solutions Limited, a company focused
on conducting retail studies for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, Dele Oyewale,
EFCC spokesperson, said Bitar’s name has been removed from the wanted list,
citing the availability of new information.
“Ellie Bitar of CBEX Solutions Ltd., who was earlier
declared wanted, has since been removed from the list owing to new information
that does not support his inclusion in the wanted person’s list,” the statement
reads.
“The Commission is making good progress in its
investigations. Law enforcement agencies across the world are collaborating
with it in tracking and arresting all the wanted persons. The EFCC will not
relent in bringing every actor involved in the fraudulent dealings to book.”
Oyewale said the anti-graft agency is “gaining important
ground” in the search for the eight persons declared wanted over the CBEX
fraud.
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