Court Grants EFCC Interim Forfeiture of 73 Assets Linked to Cybercrime, Money Laundering

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an order for the interim forfeiture of 73 properties suspected to be instruments of computer-related fraud and money laundering.

The court also directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to appear within 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be granted in favour of the Federal Government.

The forfeited items include: 1,596 computers/laptops, 4,091 mobile phones, 350 foreign SIM cards, 3,399 Nigerian SIM cards (1,122 MTN, 316 9mobile, 1,277 Airtel, 684 Glo), 194 routers, 205 sofas, 501 double-step bunks, 754 mattresses, 40 refrigerators, 10 microwaves, and 2 whiteboards.

Also listed are: 16 inverter batteries, 14 inverters, 43 CPUs/monitors, a ring light, 2 fuel tanks, a transformer, 7 vehicles, 411 deep freezers, 13 electric kettles, 21 UPS units, a toaster, an air fryer, 558 office tables, 2 TVs, a network server, 6 gas cylinders, a blender, 3 weight scales, a spiral dough mixer, 2 double-burner stoves, and a dining set.

The order, granted on April 23, 2025, in suit number FHC/L/MISC/382/2025, followed a motion ex-parte filed by the EFCC against a firm, Genting International Co., and argued by EFCC counsel B.M. Isah.

Justice Dipeolu ruled: “I have read the motion and attachments and find sufficient merit in the application. Consequently, the motion succeeds and is hereby granted.”

The EFCC filed the application under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

It sought “An interim forfeiture of the properties listed in Schedule A; and that the court has the power to grant such reliefs under Section 44(2)(B) of the Constitution and the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

In an 18-paragraph affidavit, Kaina Garba, an EFCC investigator, said the Commission stated that he received intelligence on a syndicate involved in computer fraud, money laundering, and organised crime, allegedly led by Chinese nationals operating under the name Genting International.

Preliminary findings revealed that the syndicate was recruiting and training Nigerian youths in romance, dating, and investment scams. Each recruit was assigned a computer system and specially configured mobile phone line.

A sting operation on December 10, 2024, at No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos —believed to be the syndicate’s headquarters— led to the recovery of the listed assets.

Other properties tied to the syndicate were identified at No. 14 Modupe Alakija Crescent, Ikoyi; Plot 1220 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island; and Plot No. 54A A.J. Marinho Drive, Victoria Island.

Garba stated that 761 suspects, both foreign and Nigerian, were arrested. However, the suspected leaders and financiers remain at large but are being pursued by the Commission.

He urged the court to grant the application, citing public interest and the need to thoroughly investigate the growing menace of cybercrime and money laundering in Nigeria.