EFCC Lands More Wins As Courts Forfeit Cars, Cash, Property

In a string of decisive judicial rulings, the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of two high-end vehicles and the interim forfeiture of a property and cash assets allegedly acquired through internet fraud and a diesel supply scam totaling over #986 million according to EFCC’s investigation.

Presiding Judge Justice Dehinde Dipeolu granted the final forfeiture of a white Bentley Coupe and a blue Toyota Venza traced to a suspected cyber fraudster, German Daniel Onoriede, who is currently at large. The judgment followed a motion ex-parte brought by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through counsel H.U. Kofarnaisa.

The EFCC’s investigation, as detailed in an affidavit deposed to by Bufa Okangbe, an officer of the Commission, revealed that Onoriede fled from operatives during a sting operation on August 14, 2023, at Ocean Bay Estate, Lekki. The two luxury cars were recovered from his apartment, along with documents linking the Bentley to fraudulent dealings.

The affidavit also revealed that Onoriede operated multiple bank accounts, including foreign currency accounts, which received over N500 million between 2018 and 2023 from suspected illegal sources.

In a related motion, Justice Dipeolu granted interim forfeiture of $20,000 (USD), CFA110,000, and a sky blue Nissan Almera, all found abandoned near Seme Border, Lagos, by the Nigerian Customs Service. The suspected fraudster fled into nearby bushes during an interception attempt. These items are also believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Additionally, the same court ordered the interim forfeiture of a high-value property located at No. 29 Oyindamola Shogbesan Street, Park View Estate, Ago Palace Way, Lagos. The property, according to EFCCs investigation, is allegedly linked to a diesel supply scam involving Mrs. Hannah Ify Nwaguzor, Ajayi Edward Olushola, and others, who reportedly duped Bohr Energy Limited and G3 Solid Farms of #986 million under the guise of supplying Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

EFCC counsel C.C. Okezie, while moving the motion, told the court that #261 million out of the diverted funds was traced to the purchase of the property through a third party, Orobosa Michael Ubogu. Justice Dipeolu granted the interim order and directed the publication of the same in a national newspaper, giving room for any interested party to show cause within 14 days why the property should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government. The matter was adjourned to September 2, 2025, for the hearing on final forfeiture.

Meanwhile, in Borno State, the EFCC secured another conviction as Justice Muhammad Maina of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, sentenced Alhaji Mala Gana to three years imprisonment for criminal misappropriation of #2.36 million.

Gana was entrusted with the funds in 2022 by Alhaji Goni Umar for the supply of food items and electrical appliances but diverted the money to personal use. After initially pleading not guilty in March, Gana changed his plea to guilty during the resumed hearing on August 4, 2025. He was convicted accordingly with an option of #200,000 fine.

These cases reflect the continued resolve of the EFCC and the Nigerian judiciary to strip criminals of assets acquired through deceit and to deter financial crimes through effective legal action.

By Fikunmi Sokoya

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