The order followed a motion on notice filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The forfeited cars include:
- Black SUV 400
- White 4MATIC Mercedes-Benz
- SUV MDX SH-AWD Acura
- Grey SUV RS 350L Lexus
- Deep Blue SUV RX 350 Lexus
- White Toyota 4Runner 2015
- White 2020 Lexus RX 350
- White 2019 Lexus RX 350
- Black 2020 Lexus RX350
- Black Honda Ridgeline 2017
- White Lexus RX 350 SPORT 2019
- Grey Lexus RX 350 2019
- Grey Toyota 4Runner 2018
- White Lexus RX 350 FS Sport 2019
- White Toyota Highlander XLE AWD 2017
- Black Toyota Highlander 2020
- Black Toyota Highlander 2018
- Black Mercedes-Benz G550 2019
- Red Lexus RX 350 2016
- White Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 2018
Justice Dipeolu initially ordered the interim forfeiture of the cars on May 27, 2024, directing their publication in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to contest the forfeiture. During the sitting on Monday, EFCC counsel R.A. Abdulrasheed confirmed compliance with the publication order and presented a motion for the final forfeiture.
The motion was supported by a 17-paragraph affidavit from Olufemi Olukini, an EFCC investigator, detailing how the stolen vehicles were identified through cooperation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The affidavit revealed that over 350 vehicles had been stolen from Canada and shipped to Nigeria, with many sold online or displayed at car stands.
Through analysis of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and surveillance operations, the EFCC located the vehicles. An earlier operation had resulted in the recovery of 40 vehicles, leading to a final forfeiture order on March 6, 2024. The current suit addressed additional vehicles identified subsequently.
Abdulrasheed requested the court to order the final forfeiture of the vehicles to the Federal Government and empower the Canadian Deputy High Commission in Nigeria to dispose of the vehicles through sale or return to the victims, with 2% of proceeds remitted to the EFCC Recovery Account.
After considering the submissions, Justice Dipeolu ordered the final forfeiture of the cars.
