Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Bentley and Toyota Venza in Internet Fraud Case

A Federal High Court sitting in 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, German Onoriode. The decision followed an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In addition to the vehicles, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu also approved an interim forfeiture of $20,000, CFA 110,000, and a blue Nissan Almera, all suspected to be proceeds of cybercrime.

Background of the Case

According to EFCC’s affidavit presented in court, the items were recovered during a sting operation carried out on August 14, 2023, in Ocean Bay Estate, Lekki, Lagos. While multiple suspects were arrested, Onoriode allegedly evaded arrest, abandoning his vehicles and leaving behind incriminating documents.

Investigations revealed that the Bentley Coupe was imported using funds linked to fraudulent transactions. Additionally, financial records showed that over ₦500 million had been funneled into the suspect’s various local and foreign bank accounts between 2018 and 2023.

Sting Operation Along Seme Border

In a separate but related operation, the EFCC stated that on July 13, 2025, Nigerian Customs Service operatives intercepted a sky blue Nissan Almera near the Seme Border in Lagos. The driver, also a suspected fraudster, abandoned the car and fled upon spotting law enforcement agents.

Upon inspection, $20,000 in cash and CFA 110,000 were found hidden inside the vehicle. The EFCC suspects the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

Court’s Ruling

Justice Dipeolu granted the final forfeiture of the Bentley and Toyota Venza, and interim forfeiture of the cash and Nissan Almera, citing compelling evidence submitted by EFCC investigators. The court also ordered that the interim forfeiture be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested parties to challenge the claim before a final ruling.

Broader Anti-Fraud Campaign

The ruling is part of a broader effort by the EFCC to crack down on internet fraud and cyber-related offenses in Nigeria. This comes amid a wave of arrests across the country, including recent busts in Bauchi and Kano, where dozens of suspected fraudsters were apprehended.

Comments

Top Science Student Stuns Social Media With Excellent WAEC Results but Cries Out Over Poor English Grade

Lagos, Nigeria — The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, sparking a wave of emotions across Nigeria as students share their scores online. Among the voices drawing attention is Uchenna , a science student whose academic performance has gone viral for an unexpected reason. After logging in to check his result, Uchenna proudly posted his grades on social media, revealing stellar marks across most subjects — including A1 in Marketing and Chemistry , B2 in Civic Education , Biology , Physics , and Computer Studies , and B3 in Mathematics . However, his celebration was overshadowed by a D7 in English Language , prompting a heartfelt outcry that resonated with thousands online. “After passing all subjects with As and Bs, I got D7 in English. How?” he lamented in his post, sparking widespread reactions and conversations about the grading system. Many fellow candidates reported similar ...

Naira Experiences Volatility Despite CBN's Enhanced Forex Platform

The naira has continued its volatile journey in Nigeria's foreign exchange market, with significant fluctuations observed in the parallel market. On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the naira depreciated further, closing at N1,685/$1, marking a N45 or 2.7% decline compared to the previous day's rate of N1,640/$1. This marks the second decline since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) transitioned to the Enhanced Foreign Exchange Market System (EFEMS) on December 2, 2024. Recovery in the Official Market While the parallel market witnessed the naira's depreciation, the official market showed a different trend. The naira gained in the EFEM market, closing at N1,525/$1 on Tuesday, up from N1,538.5/$1 on Monday, reflecting a N13.50 or 0.88% appreciation. The intra-day high for the official market was N1,560, with the low at N1,500. Despite this recovery in the official market, the gap between the official and parallel rates has widened, now standing at N160, up from the previous N101...

JAMB to Release 2025 UTME Results Soon

JAMB has confirmed that 2025 UTME results will be released once all post-examination analyses are completed. Shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on April 29, the Board urged candidates to remain patient and calm. JAMB stressed its commitment to accuracy and integrity, ensuring results are free of irregularities. No specific release date was provided yet. Post-exam checks include biometric verification, identity confirmation, malpractice screening, and centre integrity reviews. Candidates are advised to monitor JAMB’s website and official social media for verified updates and ignore fake news.

Favour's blog

Search This Blog