The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of 73 properties and thousands of electronic items linked to a group of Chinese nationals suspected of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The order, Justice Deinde Dipeolu, issued on Wednesday, April 23, followed an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 17, 2025.
The motion was brought against Genting International Co. by EFCC counsel B.M. Isah.
The seized items include 1596 laptop computers, 4091 mobile phones, 3,749 SIM cards (comprising 1,122 MTN, 1,277 Airtel, 684 Glo, and 316 9mobile), and 350 foreign SIM cards. Other confiscated materials include 194 routers, 205 sofas, 501 double-step bunks, 754 mattresses, and 411 deep freezers.
Additionally, the forfeiture order covers seven vehicles, 40 refrigerators, 10 microwaves, 16 inverter batteries, 14 inverters, two fuel tanks, a transformer, and various other household and office equipment.
According to the Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, in a statement on Friday, the properties were recovered during the December 10, 2024, “Eagle Flush Operation” in Lagos, which led to the arrest of 792 suspects involved in a syndicate engaged in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams.
The EFCC lawyer argued that the items were reasonably suspected to be instruments used in cyber-enabled fraud and money laundering activities.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu stated: “I have read the motion and attachments and found sufficient merit in the application. Consequently, the motion succeeds and is hereby granted.”
The court also directed that the interim forfeiture order be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested party to show cause, within 14 days, why a final forfeiture order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.