Forfeiture: Lagos Court confiscate 36 Exotic Cars

A Lagos court has given a final ruling for the forfeiture of 36 luxury cars that were allegedly stolen from Canada and brought to Nigeria.

It is reported that more than 350 vehicles of different makes were taken from Canada to Nigeria.

The initial order for the temporary forfeiture of the cars was made by Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu on November 29, 2023, following an application by the EFCC’s lawyer, Abdul Rasheed.

The court has now directed the EFCC to publish the orders in a national newspaper to allow any concerned parties to come forward and present reasons why the cars should not be permanently forfeited.

Sometime in April, 2022, during an official meeting held at 7A Okoti-eboh Street, Ikoyi Lagos, between officials of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and EFCC officials, RCMP officials passed credible intelligence to the Commission which alleged that over 350 vehicles which were comprehensively listed out on an excel sheet with their respective vehicle identification Number (VIN) were stolen from Canada and shipped to Nigeria.

“That these vehicles have been sold and/or being sold on an online website by some online vendors/agents while others are displayed for sale at various car stands across the country.

“That our team commenced preliminary investigation into the case by identifying the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of each of the said stolen vehicle and subjecting them to analysis using open source intelligence (OSINT). And that preliminary results from the analysis revealed the vehicles were largely located across Lagos State metropolis particularly Lekki at different Car stands and places

“Surveillance was thereafter carried out on the identified locations followed by sting operations which led to the recovery of the vehicles.

“The VIN of the vehicles corresponds with those of the stolen vehicles contained in the Intelligence received from RCMP and no person has come forward to claim ownership of these vehicles.

“Investigation carried out revealed that substantial number of the motor vehicles described aforesaid were stolen from Canada and shipped to Nigeria between the years 2019-2021.

“That the cars were parked in residential driveways and company car lots in Canada from where they were stolen. And that various Canadian Insurance Companies which insured the vehicles indemnified the car owners and are pursuing criminal complainant lodged in Canada with the RCMP Liaison Officer attached to the Canadian Deputy High Commission, Nigeria in respect to the theft of the vehicles.

Upon careful review of the submissions and the attached documents, Justice Dipeolu has granted the request of the anti-graft agency for the final forfeiture of the 36 cars.

The vehicles subject to forfeiture are as follows: a 2017 Model Toyota RAV4 in ash color, a 2019 Toyota Tacoma Model in silver color, a 2019 Lexus RX 350 in grey color, a Lexus RX350 in black color, a 2019 Model 5 FORD F150 in black color, a 2018 Model Honda CRV in black color, a 2020 Toyota Tacoma in black color, a Dodge in black color, a Land Rover, and a 2020 Lexus RX 350 Jeep.

The following vehicles are included in the list: a 2016 Toyota 4Runner in black color, a Range Rover in maroon black, a Lexus 460 Saloon in black color, a 2018 Ford F150 in grey color, a 2019 Lexus RX 350 in gold color, a 2020 Lexus RX 350 in white color, a 2021 Lexus RX 350 Sport in grey color, a Honda Civic Touring in red color, a Honda Pilot SUV in grey color, a 2020 Range Rover SUV in grey color, a Toyota 4Runner SUV in ash color, a Toyota Highlander in grey color, and a 2018 Toyota Tacoma in black color.

Additionally, the list comprises a Toyota 4Runner in white color, a Lexus RX 350 Jeep in white color, another Lexus RX 350 Jeep in white color, a 2016 Toyota 4Runner in ash color, a 2019 Toyota Tacoma in gray color, a 2017 Lexus RX 350 Jeep in white color, a 2018 Toyota Highlander Jeep in black color, a 2018 Honda CRV in ash color, a 2006 Toyota Yaris in black color, a 2008 Honda Accord in black color, a 2005 Toyota Camry in gold color, and a 2016 Toyota Corolla in black color.

The vehicles were retrieved from various auto shops, namely 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. These establishments are situated in distinct locations, including Lekki-Ajah, Ojodu-Berger, Ikeja, Festac Town, Magodo, and Ikota-Lekki, respectively.