EFCC Clears Foreign National Elie Bitar of Involvement in CBEX Crypto Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially removed Elie Bitar, a foreign national, from its wanted list in connection with the Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) fraud investigation.

Bitar, 41, was initially declared wanted by the EFCC on May 1 alongside seven others over alleged involvement in the CBEX scheme, which defrauded numerous Nigerians. However, in a statement released on May 14, the anti-graft agency confirmed that new information has cleared him of suspicion, prompting the removal of his name from the list.

The EFCC emphasized that investigations are still ongoing and it continues to pursue the remaining eight suspects, identified as Seyi Oloyede, Emmanuel Uko, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Johnson Okiroh Ofienolu, Israel Mbalika, Joseph Michiro Kabera, and Serah Michiro.

The agency reiterated its commitment to collaborating with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend all individuals involved. “The EFCC will not relent in bringing every actor involved in the fraudulent dealings to book,” the commission stated.