Court Orders Forfeiture of Two Mercedes-Benz Vehicles, iPhones to FG in EFCC Fraud Case
By Naijagossiper Official ยท
Photo Credit:EFCC/Facebook
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of two luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles, mobile phones and other electronic devices linked to a convicted internet fraudster, Ifeanyi Franklyn Arinze, to the Federal Government.
Justice Yellim S. Bogoro delivered the ruling on Monday, November 9, 2026, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The properties include a white Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG, a grey Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 AMG, an orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, a silver Samsung Fold 7, a blue iPhone 13 and a silver iPad.
According to the EFCC, the items were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
The commission's application, filed through its counsel, C.C. Okezie, was supported by an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC operative, Buluebiere Karamo.
In the affidavit, the EFCC alleged that Arinze was the leader of a fraud syndicate operating in Lagos, which targeted victims in the United States.
Investigators claimed that Arinze used the identity "Tonya" on iMessage to contact victims and persuade them to create foreign financial accounts, including Zelle, Apple Pay, PayPal, Cash App and Venmo.
The victims were allegedly instructed to transfer funds received through the accounts to a Chinese national identified as "Chinko Applepay".
The EFCC further alleged that the Chinese national converted the funds into their naira equivalent and transferred the money into Arinze's Kuda Bank account.
According to the commission, Arinze subsequently distributed the money to other members of the alleged syndicate while retaining 10 per cent as commission.
An analysis of his bank account reportedly showed total inflows of N2.149 billion between August 2022 and February 2026.
The investigation also allegedly uncovered 49 Gmail accounts and several Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected to have been used in the fraudulent operations.
The EFCC disclosed that Arinze was initially arrested on April 20, 2024, during a sting operation at Remi Olowude Street, Lekki, Lagos, alongside several other individuals.
He was subsequently charged before the Federal High Court on a two-count charge bordering on computer-related fraud.
According to the commission, Arinze pleaded guilty and was convicted on June 5, 2024, by Justice Aneke, who ordered him to maintain good behaviour and refrain from further cyber-related offences.
However, the EFCC alleged that he continued engaging in fraudulent activities and money laundering after his conviction and payment of the option of a fine.
The commission said fresh intelligence prompted another investigation, during which it allegedly discovered that the properties listed in the forfeiture application were acquired with proceeds of fraudulent activities carried out after his earlier conviction.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on July 17, 2026, directing the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to allow interested individuals or organisations to challenge the forfeiture.
During Monday's proceedings, EFCC counsel, Okezie, told the court that the commission complied with the directive by publishing the interim order in The Guardian newspaper on September 16, 2026.
She added that no individual or organisation had appeared before the court to contest the forfeiture.
After considering the application and the evidence presented, Justice Bogoro granted the EFCC's request and ordered the final forfeiture of the two Mercedes-Benz vehicles and electronic devices to the Federal Government of Nigeria.