A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of 73 properties linked to Chinese nationals suspected of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu issued the order on Wednesday, April 23, following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The properties include 1,596 laptop computers, 4,091 mobile phones, 350 foreign SIM cards, and 3,399 Nigerian SIM cards from various telecom providers. Other items forfeited are 194 routers, 205 sofas, 754 mattresses, seven vehicles, and electronic devices such as inverters, refrigerators, and microwaves.
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The suspects, part of a 792-member syndicate, were arrested on December 10, 2024, during an EFCC operation tagged *”Eagle Flush Operation.”* They are accused of involvement in cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud.
EFCC’s counsel, B.M. Isah, argued that the properties were reasonably suspected to be instruments of computer-related fraud and money laundering. Justice Dipeolu granted the motion, stating that the application had sufficient merit.
The court also directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, giving interested parties 14 days to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
