January 20, 2025 marks a significant chapter in the journey of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism and Social Justice (FIJ). Four years ago, the purpose was clear: to expose the truth, fight for justice, be a voice to the voiceless and hold the powerful to account.

What began as an ambitious vision has grown into tangible impact, including the recovery of funds for ordinary Nigerians.

In our first year, we recovered N16,668,674, addressing cases such as undelivered services, fraudulent investments and exploitative business practices. By the second year, this figure soared to N30,292,361, and in our third year, we surpassed expectations with a record-breaking N79,618,559.

Now in its fourth year, FIJ has made an additional N65,148,805.297 in recoveries for defenceless Nigerians, bringing the total to an astounding N192,488,899.297 over four years — all returned to victims without taking a single kobo in exchange.

Here are just 10 from the multitude of fund recoveries from the last year:

1. FRSC Pays N12 Million in Entitlements to Deceased Official’s Son After FIJ Report

After a report by FIJ, Justus Obasi received N12 million in entitlements owed to his late mother, a former staff member of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

His family had been waiting for seven years, and the payment came shortly after FIJ’s second report on the issue in June 2024.

Despite submitting all necessary documents in 2017, Obasi had faced delays in receiving the entitlements. The remaining payments include housing funds and two Group Life Insurance funds.

2. Travel Agency Refunds Nigerian Customer $6,800 After FIJ’s Report

Into Migration, a travel consultancy agency, refunded Nigerian UAE resident Eniola Akinosho $6,800 (N11,335,600) after failing to process an Ireland work visa as promised.

The refund, completed in four installments by October 28, followed FIJ’s October report on the company’s delay. Akinosho had paid the sum in May for his sister’s visa application but requested a refund in July due to delays.

FIJ’s intervention prompted the firm’s CEO to ensure the refund. Akinosho subsequently expressed gratitude to FIJ, saying, “There is hope for a better country with an organisation like FIJ.”

3. Opay Refunds Scammed Vendor N569,000 After FIJ Intervention

Moses Onoja, CEO of Sun Energy Community Development Initiative (SECODI), refunded N1.5 million to siblings after withholding their investment capital for over a year. The payment, made on February 28, followed FIJ’s report highlighting the siblings’ plight.

Initially, the siblings invested N1 million and N500,000 in February 2022, expecting monthly returns. Although payments were made as agreed for a year, SECODI failed to refund their capital and final payments in February 2023. The siblings expressed gratitude to FIJ for facilitating the recovery.

4. Ethiopian Airlines Refunds N1.6m to Nigerian After FIJ’s Story

Ethiopian Airlines refunded N1,691,736 to Mary Emelieze Udeh, an Abuja resident, three days after FIJ published a report about her prolonged struggle to recover her money.

Udeh initially paid the amount in August 2024 to book a Lagos-Toronto flight for her husband’s niece. However, the booking failed, and the airline withheld her funds despite repeated emails and reminders. After the stipulated refund period elapsed with no action, Udeh contacted FIJ, whose intervention prompted the airline to resolve the issue.

5. Man Who Stole N14.5m from Friend’s Surgery Fund Returns Full Amount After FIJ’s Intervention

Following FIJ’s investigation, Taiwo Abdulkabir Adesina fully refunded N14.5 million he siphoned from funds raised for his friend Rafiu Kehinde Ambali’s life-saving surgery. In 2019, Ambali, suffering from chronic diabetes and a severe fungal infection, crowdfunded N16 million for treatment. Adesina, a trusted guardian, misused the funds by first borrowing N7 million under false pretenses and losing it to cryptocurrency trading. He later withdrew an additional N7.5 million without the patient’s consent.

After prolonged repayment in installments, Adesina completed the refund in January. Ambali, still battling health issues, expressed gratitude but continues to seek advanced medical care.

6. Into Migration Refunds £4,500 to Customer After FIJ Story on Unprocessed Sponsorship Certificate

Into Migration refunded Ifeoluwa Ojedokun’s £4,500 (N9,427500), a day after FIJ reported that the travel agency failed to process his certificate of sponsorship (CoS) seven months after he paid them. Ojedokun had initially paid £5,000 in November 2023 for the service, but the agency did not deliver, and then delayed his refund repeatedly. After FIJ’s intervention, the agency refunded the money, minus 10% administrative charges.

7. Casafina Refunds N560,000 to Accountant Following FIJ’s Story

Casafina Development, a real estate firm, refunded N560,000 to an accountant (pseudonym: Kemi Richardson) less than 24 hours after FIJ published a report about the company’s negligence. Richardson had initially paid N800,000 in 2019 for a land purchase but opted out due to financial constraints. The company promised a refund within 40 working days but delayed the payment for over three years.

After FIJ’s intervention, Casafina finally processed the refund, although Richardson incurred a 30% deduction per their agreement and suffered losses due to inflation. Despite the setback, Richardson expressed relief at resolving the issue and moving on to new projects.

8. Arik Air Refunds N326,000 to Customer After FIJ’s Report

Arik Air refunded N326,000 to Abraham Oresanya, a customer whose funds had been withheld since June, a day after FIJ published a report exposing the issue. Oresanya’s payment for a flight ticket was stuck after the airline claimed his passenger name record (PNR) had expired, even though the transaction was confirmed successful by his bank, First Bank.

Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, both Arik Air and First Bank repeatedly redirected Oresanya to each other without taking responsibility. FIJ’s report brought attention to the negligence, leading to the refund by Arik Air via Paystack.

9. GTBank Refunds N1.3m to Customer After FIJ’s Investigation

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) refunded N1.3 million to a customer, James Onireke (not real name), after FIJ exposed the bank’s failure to resolve his issue. The funds were recalled on April 24 following a claim by Providus Bank that the money was erroneously credited.

Onireke confirmed the payment was legitimate and requested proof from Providus Bank to justify the recall. However, GTB ignored his concerns despite multiple follow-ups. After FIJ published the story in June, GTB unblocked the funds within a week, allowing Onireke to access his money.

10. Avidela International Services Refunds N800,000 After FIJ’s Investigation

After two years of waiting, Eleazar Okoro (pseudonym), a Nigerian residing in the UK, received a refund of N800,000 from Avidela International Service Ltd., thanks to FIJ’s reporting.

In 2022, Okoro paid the travel agency N1 million for an Australian visa, with a promise that the process would be completed within 10 weeks. The agency also assured him of an 80% refund if the visa was not secured. However, six months later, the visa was not delivered, and the company failed to refund him despite repeated requests.

FIJ reported the story, and on May 17, 2024, Avidela refunded the agreed amount.