Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has granted the final forfeiture of two luxury vehicles—a white Bentley Coupe and a blue Toyota Venza linked to a suspected internet fraudster identified as German Daniel Onoriede.
The court also granted interim forfeiture of a sky-blue Nissan Almera, along with $20,000 and CFA 110,000, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The orders followed two separate motions filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, represented by counsel H.U. Kofarnaisa.
In support of the application for the final forfeiture granted on Friday, August 1, 2025, EFCC investigating officer Bufa Okangbe deposed to an affidavit stating that the Commission conducted a sting operation on August 14, 2023, in Ocean Bay Estate, Lekki, Lagos, targeting suspected internet fraudsters. One of the suspects, Onoriede, evaded arrest, but operatives recovered two of his vehicles from his apartment.
Okangbe further stated that the Bentley was acquired through the proceeds of unlawful activities, and documents relating to its importation were retrieved. Investigation revealed that Onoriede operated multiple bank accounts through which over ₦500 million was funneled between 2018 and 2023 from fraudulent sources.
Satisfied with the EFCC’s evidence, Justice Dipeolu granted the final forfeiture as prayed.
In a separate motion concerning the interim forfeiture, another EFCC investigator, Solomon Usman, told the court that a joint sting operation with the Nigeria Customs Service was carried out on July 13, 2025, along the Seme Border, Badagry. A suspected fraudster driving a sky-blue Nissan Almera fled the scene upon sighting operatives, abandoning the vehicle in the bush.
A search of the abandoned car revealed $20,000 and CFA 110,000, which the EFCC reasonably suspected were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application for interim forfeiture and directed that the order be published in a national newspaper to enable any interested parties to appear and show cause why the items should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.