The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of two luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles, mobile phones and other electronic devices linked to a convicted internet fraudster, Ifeanyi Franklyn Arinze, to the Federal Government.
Justice Yellim S. Bogoro made the order on Monday, November 9, 2026, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the permanent forfeiture of the properties suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
The forfeited vehicles are a white Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG and a grey Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 AMG. The electronic devices include an orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, a silver Samsung Fold 7, a blue iPhone 13 and a silver iPad.
The EFCC, through its counsel, C.C. Okezie, filed the application, supported by an affidavit deposed to by an operative of the commission, Buluebiere Karamo.
According to the affidavit, the EFCC received intelligence alleging that Arinze was the leader of a syndicate involved in internet fraud in Lagos.
The commission alleged that Arinze used the identity “Tonya” on iMessage to contact several victims in the United States and persuade them to create foreign financial accounts, including Zelle, Apple Pay, PayPal, Cash App and Venmo.
The EFCC further alleged that the victims were instructed to transfer funds received through the accounts to a Chinese national identified as “Chinko Applepay”.
Upon receiving the funds, the Chinese national allegedly credited Arinze’s Kuda Bank account with the naira equivalent. Arinze was then said to have transferred the money to other members of the alleged syndicate while retaining 10 per cent as commission.
An analysis of his Kuda Bank account reportedly revealed total inflows of N2,149,495,381.42 between August 2022 and February 2026.
The commission also alleged that Arinze operated 49 Gmail accounts, alongside several Facebook and Instagram accounts, which were allegedly used in carrying out the fraudulent activities.
The affidavit disclosed that Arinze was previously arrested on April 20, 2024, during a sting operation at Remi Olowude Street, Lekki, Lagos, alongside several other individuals.
Following the investigation, he was charged before the Federal High Court on a two-count charge bordering on computer-related fraud.
The EFCC said Arinze pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted on June 5, 2024, by Justice Aneke, who ordered him to be of good behaviour and refrain from further involvement in cyber-related offences.
However, the commission alleged that he continued engaging in money laundering and computer-related fraud after his conviction and payment of the option of a fine, prompting fresh investigations following the receipt of additional intelligence.
According to the EFCC, investigations linked the properties listed in the forfeiture application to proceeds of alleged fraudulent activities carried out after his earlier conviction.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on July 17, 2026, directing the commission to publish the order in a national newspaper to allow interested persons or organisations to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Moving the application for final forfeiture, EFCC counsel Okezie told the court that the commission had complied with the directive by publishing the interim forfeiture order in The Guardian newspaper on September 16, 2026.
She further informed the court that no individual or organisation had appeared to contest the forfeiture or show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Following the application, Justice Bogoro ordered the final forfeiture of the vehicles and electronic devices to the Federal Government.
EFCC Secures Forfeiture Of Ifeanyi Franklyn Arinze’s Mercedes-Benz Cars, Phones To FG
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