By Adenike Lawal
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a white Bentley Coupe and a blue Toyota Venza linked to suspected internet fraudster German Onoriede.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu issued the order following an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The motion was supported by an affidavit from EFCC investigator Bufa Okangbe, who stated that the vehicles were seized during a raid on August 14, 2023, at Ocean Bay Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
Although Onoriede escaped arrest during the operation, the EFCC recovered the vehicles from his residence.
Investigators later traced the purchase of the Bentley to funds suspected to be proceeds of internet fraud.
Further investigation revealed multiple local and foreign bank accounts linked to the suspect, with over ₦500 million traced to the accounts between 2018 and 2023.
In a related ruling, Justice Dipeolu also granted an interim forfeiture order on a sky-blue Nissan Almera and cash totaling $20,000 and CFA 110,000.
The order followed a separate motion supported by an affidavit from another EFCC investigator, Solomon Usman.
According to Usman, on July 13, 2025, a suspect was intercepted by Nigeria Customs Service officers at Seme Border in Badagry.
The suspect abandoned the Nissan Almera and fled into the bush. Upon inspection, foreign currencies were found hidden inside the vehicle.
The EFCC told the court that the assets were likely proceeds of unlawful activity and requested the interim forfeiture. Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that a public notice be published to allow any interested party to contest the forfeiture before it becomes final.
The rulings underscore the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and recover assets linked to financial misconduct.
