A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted the final forfeiture of two vehicles, a white Bentley Coupe and a blue Toyota Venza, linked to a suspected Internet fraudster, German Daniel Onoriede.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu also ordered the interim forfeiture of the sum of $20,000, CFA 110,000, and a sky-blue Nissan Almera vehicle, pending the conclusion of investigations and potential claims by interested parties.
The orders followed the hearing of two motions ex parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and moved by its counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, on Monday.
In support of the application for final forfeiture, Kofarnaisa relied on an eight-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Bufa Okangbe, an officer of the EFCC.
The affidavit detailed the circumstances under which the vehicles were recovered.
According to Okangbe, “On August 14, 2023, operatives of the commission carried out a sting operation during which several suspected internet fraudsters were apprehended in various apartments located within the Ocean Bay Estate, Lekki, Lagos State.
The operatives also visited the residence of one German Daniel Onoriede, who evaded arrest.”
She further averred that, “Two vehicles, a white Bentley Coupe with chassis number SCBFE63WXCC077771 and a blue Toyota Venza with registration number LS368G, Y, were recovered from his apartment.
“Documents pertaining to the importation of the Bentley Coupe, acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities, were also recovered.”
The deponent disclosed that a financial analysis revealed the suspect operated multiple bank accounts and received over N500,000,000 from fraudulent sources between 2018 and 2023.
Upon a careful review of the affidavit and exhibits, and being satisfied with the submissions of the counsel, the court granted the application for final forfeiture of the vehicles to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In respect of the second application, the EFCC sought an interim forfeiture order over the sum of $20,000, CFA 110,000, and a blue Nissan Almera vehicle, all of which were recovered in a separate operation.
In an eight-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Solomon Usman, also an investigating officer with the EFCC, it was averred that “On July 13, 2025, operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service conducted an operation along the Seme Border, Badagry Division of Lagos State.
Usman told the court that during the operation, a suspected fraudster driving a sky-blue Nissan Almera with chassis number SJNFAANI6U0508962 abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush on sighting the officers.”
The affidavit further stated: “Upon a physical inspection of the abandoned vehicle, the sum of $20,000 and CFA 110,000 was discovered concealed inside.”
Moving the application, Kofarnaisa urged the court to grant the interim forfeiture on the ground that the funds and vehicle were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
After considering the affidavit and submission of counsel, Justice Dipeolu granted the interim forfeiture order as prayed and directed the EFCC to publish the order in any national daily to any interested party the opportunity to appear before the court and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
