A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) application and issued a final forfeiture order for 36 exotic cars allegedly stolen from Canada and smuggled into Nigeria.
The ruling was made by Justice Deinde Dipeolu after considering the arguments presented by the EFCC’s counsel.
The respondents listed in the case include 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 vehicles were recovered from various auto shops located in Lekki-Ajah, Ojodu-Berger, Ikeja, Festac Town, Magodo, and Ikota-Lekki areas.
The interim/temporary forfeiture of the cars was initially ordered by the court on November 29, 2023, following an application by the EFCC. The court directed the EFCC to advertise the forfeiture order in a national newspaper, providing an opportunity for interested parties to appear and contest the forfeiture. The interim order was duly advertised in The Punch Newspaper’s January 30, 2024 edition.
During the recent court proceedings on March 6, 2024, the EFCC informed the court that the interim forfeiture order had been duly advertised, and no party had filed a counter affidavit opposing the forfeiture. The EFCC’s counsel urged the court to grant the agency’s request for the final forfeiture of the cars to the Nigerian Government.
Supporting the application, an affidavit signed by Olufemi Olukini, one of the investigators, revealed that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provided credible intelligence in April 2022, alleging that over 350 vehicles, listed with their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), were stolen from Canada and brought to Nigeria. The affidavit stated that the investigation confirmed the presence of these vehicles in Lagos, particularly in Lekki.
The affidavit further explained that the VINs of the recovered vehicles matched those reported stolen by the Canadian insurance companies, and no individuals had come forward to claim ownership. It also highlighted that the cars were stolen between 2019 and 2021 from residential driveways and company car lots in Canada.
After considering the submissions and reviewing the attached documents, Justice Dipeolu granted the EFCC’s request for the final forfeiture of the 36 cars to the Nigerian Government.
The list of forfeited exotic cars includes various models such as Toyota Rav 4, Toyota Tacoma, Lexus RX 350, FORD FI50, Honda CRV, Dodge, Land Rover, Range Rover, Lexus 460 Saloon, Ford F150, Honda Civic Touring, Honda Pilot SUV, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Acura MDX Saloon Car, and Ford Model F150 Pickup, among others.
The Federal High Court has ordered the permanent forfeiture of the 36 stolen exotic cars from Canada to the Nigerian Government, following the EFCC’s successful application.