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Federal High Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of 73 Properties, 1,596 Laptops Linked To Cybercrime Syndicate

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The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission an interim forfeiture order for 73 properties and several gadgets, including 1,596 linked to cybercrime and money laundering, involving Chinese suspects.

Justice Deinde Dipeolu issued the order on April 23, 2025, in a suit marked FHC/L/MISC/382/2025, following an ex parte motion filed by EFCC counsel B.M. Isah against Genting International Co.

The forfeited items include 1,596 computers/laptops, 4,091 mobile phones, 350 foreign SIM cards, and 3,399 Nigerian SIM cards from various providers, including 1,122 MTN, 316 9mobile, 1,277 Airtel, and 684 Glo.

Also included are 194 routers, 205 sofas, 501 double-step bunks, 754 mattresses, 40 refrigerators, 10 microwaves, and two whiteboards.

Additional items include 16 inverter batteries, 14 inverters, 43 CPUs/monitors, a ring light, two fuel tanks, a transformer, seven vehicles, 411 deep freezers, 13 electric kettles, 21 UPS units, a toaster, an air fryer, 558 office tables, two TVs, a network server, six gas cylinders, a blender, three weight scales, a spiral dough mixer, two double-burner stoves, and a dining set.

The EFCC filed the application under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, seeking an interim forfeiture of the properties.

Justice Dipeolu ruled: “I have read the motion and attachments and find sufficient merit in the application. Consequently, the motion succeeds and is hereby granted.”

The court also instructed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a national newspaper and invited interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

EFCC investigator Kaina Garba stated in an 18-paragraph affidavit that the assets were seized during a sting operation on December 10, 2024, at No. 7 Oyinjolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos—allegedly the syndicate’s headquarters.

The EFCC had acted on intelligence that a syndicate, allegedly led by Chinese nationals operating under the name Genting International, was running a cybercrime training centre for Nigerian youths.

The recruits were assigned computers and specially configured mobile phone lines to carry out romance, dating, and investment scams.

Additional properties linked to the group were uncovered at No. 14 Modupe Alakija Crescent, Ikoyi; Plot 1220 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island; and Plot No. 54A A.J. Marinho Drive, Victoria Island.

The EFCC arrested 761 suspects, both foreign and Nigerian, during the raid.

The syndicate’s alleged leaders and financiers remain at large but are being actively pursued.

Garba urged the court to grant the interim forfeiture in the public interest, citing the rising threat of cybercrime and money laundering in Nigeria.

 

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Court Sets Feb 25 For El-Rufai’s Arraignment In DSS Cybercrime Case

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The Department of State Services (DSS) will arraign former Governnor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court has fixed the date for the arraignment of the former Governor on a three-count criminal charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) after the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho assigned the case to her.

NAN earlier reported that the DSS, on Monday, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The charge, instituted by the Nigerian secret police, is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.

The service accused El-Rufai of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act (2024) and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)

In court, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

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Maureen Badejo To Appear Before Federal High Court Tomorrow On Defamation, Cybercrime Charges

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Maureen Omorinola Badejo is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on February 20, 2026, following charges filed by the Inspector-General of Police over allegations bordering on defamation, cyberstalking, and related offences.

 

 

The charges arise from online publications made in November 2021, in which Ms. Badejo allegedly transmitted statements and videos on YouTube and Facebook concerning Apostle Johnson Suleman and his associate Dickson Omodiale Osajie.

 

 

According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that:

 

Ms. Badejo conspired with others to publish defamatory content against Apostle Suleman.

 

She allegedly portrayed him as a cultist, rapist, assassin, ritualist, and other criminal labels, knowing the claims to be false.

 

She is accused of sending false messages via computer networks intended to cause annoyance, hatred, intimidation, and injury to reputation.

 

Additional allegations state that defamatory statements were also made against Mr. Dickson Osajie, claiming involvement in crimes such as rape and ritual killing.

 

Authorities further allege that the publications caused fear for safety and threatened bodily harm to the complainants.

The offences cited fall under provisions of the Criminal Code Act (Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

 

The case follows a formal petition submitted to the Nigeria Police Force by Mr. Osajie, who alleged persistent cyberstalking, harassment, invasion of privacy, threats to life, and dissemination of false information affecting himself, Apostle Suleman, and their families.

Statement from Maureen Badejo

Ms. Badejo maintains her readiness to face the court and present her defense, expressing confidence in the Nigerian judicial system to ensure fairness and justice.

 

 

“I will appear in court as required and trust that the truth will prevail through due legal process,” she stated.

 

 

However Ms. Badejo is expected to be formally arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, where the charges will be read and she will enter her plea.

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Rivers Assembly Suspends Impeachment Move Against Fubara After Tinubu’s Intervention

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially suspended impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

The House moved the motion to halt the impeachment process on Thursday at its resumed sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

JomogNews had reported that during its first sitting of 2026, the House had begun impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the State Assembly complex and alleged spending without legislative approval, among other claims.

More details later….

 

 

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