The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of 20 cars allegedly stolen from residential driveways and company car lots in Canada and shipped to Nigeria.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu made the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) moved an application for the forfeiture, as no person or organization came forward to claim the cars. On May 27, 2024, the judge had ordered the interim forfeiture of the cars while directing the EFCC to publish the order for any interested person to appear before the court and show cause why it should not be finally forfeited.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC lawyer Rahman Abdulrasheed told the court that the agency had complied with the court’s directives. Abdulrasheed submitted that the final forfeiture orders were brought under Section 44(2)(B) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
He also asked for orders including: “an order of the Court forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria all the properties mentioned in the attached schedules of this application, which properties are reasonably suspected to have been acquired through stealing and with proceeds from other unlawful economic activities,” and “an order of the Court empowering the Canadian Deputy High Commission in Nigeria or any other officer so designated by the office to dispose of the forfeited properties mentioned in the attached schedules 1-2 of this application either by sale or return to the victims, subject to remittance of the statutory two per cent from the proceeds to the EFCC Recovery Account.”
Justice Dipeolu, after considering the submissions and the processes filed, granted the relief sought and ordered the final forfeiture of the 20 cars. The cars with their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) forfeited to the Federal Government include various models of SUVs and sedans from brands like Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Toyota, and Acura.
In an affidavit, EFCC investigator Olufemi Olukini stated: “Sometime in April 2022, during an official meeting held at 7A Okoti-eboh Street, Ikoyi Lagos between officials of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCM) and Lagos Zonal Command of EFCC officials, credible intelligence was passed to the Commission which alleged that over 350 vehicles comprehensively listed on an Excel sheet with their respective vehicle identification numbers (VIN) were stolen from various locations in Canada and shipped to Nigeria.”
The affidavit detailed the investigation and recovery process, revealing that most of these vehicles were insured, and the insurance companies involved had indemnified the respective owners. The insurance companies had delegated their interests to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police liaison officer with the Canadian Embassy in Nigeria to pursue their interests.
