A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered final forfeiture of 36 exotic cars, ‘allegedly stolen’ from Canada to Nigeria.
Trial judge, Justice Deinde Dipeolu, made the final forfeiture order, while granting an application filed and argued by a lawyer to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Abdul Rasheed.
The forfeited cars include: 2017 Model Toyota Rav, ash colour; 2019 Toyota Tacoma 2019 Model, silver colour; 2019 Lexus RX 350 Grey Colour, Lexus RX350 black colour; 2019 Model 5 FORD FI50 black colour; 2018 Model Honda CRV black colour; 2020 Toyota Tacoma black colour; Dodge black colour; Land Rover and 2020 Lexus RX 350 SUV, among others.
Listed as respondents in the suit are Wilmon Autos Nigeria Limited; Ikeoyi Enterprises; Ichie Autos; Bounce Autos; Assured Motors; Emeko Auto; CNC Auto; Green Hill Auto; First Core Auto; Samuel Motors; Unique Motors; Nice and Rich Auto; Overall Properties; GIDI Auto and Chris Jane Auto Nigeria Limited.
The auto shops where the cars were recovered are located at Lekki-Ajah; Ojodu-Berger; Ikeja; Festac Town; Magodo and Ikota-Lekki respectively.
The court had on November 29, 2023, made an order of interim forfeiture of the cars, after listening to the EFCC lawyer, who moved the application for such an order.
Upon granting the interim forfeiture of the cars, the court ordered the EFCC to advertise the orders in a national newspaper, for any interested persons/parties to appear before the court, and show cause, why the cars should not finally be forfeited.
The EFCC lawyer, Abdulrasheed, however, last Wednesday, informed the court of the agency’s motion on notice for final forfeiture of the cars.
Abdulrasheed informed the court that the motion was under sections 44(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
