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Lagos court orders forfeiture of 36 exotic cars allegedly stolen from Canada

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

Lagos court orders forfeiture of 36 exotic cars allegedly stolen from Canada

A Lagos Federal High Court has ordered final forfeiture of 36 exotic cars, ‘allegedly stolen’ from Canada to Nigeria.

Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu, who presided over the court, made the final forfeiture order while granting an application filed and argued by a lawyer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. A. B. Abdul Rasheed.

The forfeited cars include the 2017 Model Toyota Rav, Ash colour; the 2019 Toyota Tacoma 2019 model, silver colour; the 2019 Lexus RX 350 Grey colour, Lexus RX350 Black colour; the 2019 Model 5 FORD FI50 Black colour; the 2018 Model Honda CRV black colour; 2020 Toyota Tacoma black colour; Dodge Black colour; Land Rover and 2020 Lexus RX 350 Jeep.

Others include; 2016 Toyota 4Runner, black colour; Range Rover, Maroon black; Lexus 460 Saloon black colour; Ford F150 2018 Model, Grey colour; 2019 Lexus RX 350, Gold colour; 2020 Lexus RX 350, White colour; 2021 Lexus RX 350 Sport, grey colour; Honda Civic Touring, red colour; Honda Pilot Suv, grey colour; 2020 Range Rover Suv, grey colour; Toyota 4Runner SUV, Ash colour; Toyota Highlander, Grey colour and 2018 Toyota Tacoma, Black colour.

Others also include; the Toyota 4Runner white colour; the Lexus RX 350 Jeep, white colour; the Lexus RX 350 Jeep White colour; the 2016 Toyota 4runner, ash colour; the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, grey colour; the 2017 Lexus RX 350 Jeep, white colour; 2018 Toyota Highlander Jeep black colour; 2018 Honda CRV, ash colour; 2006 Toyota Yaris, black colour; 2008 Honda Accord, black colour; 2005 Toyota Camry, Gold colour and 2016 Toyota Corolla, Black colour.

And three unclaimed vehicles; Acura MDX Saloon Car, grey colour; 2018 FORD FISO Model, black colour and Ford Model F150, Pickup Ass, white colour.

Listed as respondents in the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/2051/2023 are: 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.

The auto shops where the cars are recovered are located at Lekki-Ajah; Ojodu-Berger; Ikeja; Festac Town; Magodo and Ikota-Lekki respectively.

The court had on November 29, 2023, made an order for the interim forfeiture of the cars from Canada, after listening to the EFCC lawyer, who moved the application for such an order.

Upon granting the interim forfeiture of the cars, the court ordered the EFCC to advertise the orders in a national newspaper, for any interested persons parties to appear before the court, and show cause, why the cars should not finally be forfeited.

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The EFCC lawyer, Abdulrasheed, however on Wednesday, informed the court of the agency’s motion on notice for final forfeiture of the cars.

Abdulrasheed informed the court that the motion was under sections 44(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

He further informed the court that the order of the court made on November 30, 2023, had been complied with, by advertising the interim forfeiture order on page 19, of the January 30, 2024 edition of The Punch newspaper, and that no person or party has filed any counter to the forfeiture.

He therefore urged the court to grant his agency’s request by ordering the final forfeiture of the cars from Canada.

Justice Dipeolu after listening to the EFCC lawyer and perusing through the processes and citing a plethora of authorities, acceded to the request of the anti-graft agency and ordered the final forfeiture of the 36 cars.

The EFCC in an affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by one of its investigators, Olufemi Olukini.

Parts of the deposition of the deponent in the affidavit read: “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.

“These vehicles from Canada have been sold and/or are being sold on an online website www.jiji.com by some online vendors/agents while others are displayed for sale at various car stands across the country.

Abdulrasheed added “Our team commenced preliminary investigation into the case by identifying the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of each of the said stolen vehicles and subjecting them to analysis using open source intelligence (OSINT). The preliminary results from the analysis revealed the vehicles stolen from Canada 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 Canada’s RCMP and no person has come forward to claim ownership of these vehicles.

“Investigation carried out revealed that a substantial number of the motor vehicles described aforesaid were stolen from Canada and shipped to Nigeria between the years 2019-2021,” he said before explaining how the cars arrived Nigeria from Canada.

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

“Based on the facts stated in paragraphs, the applicant filed an application dated 13th October, 2023 for interim forfeiture of properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria which was duly granted by this Honourable Court on 29th November, 2023. This Honourable Court ordered for publication of the said order in The Punch Newspaper and the Commission’s website for any interested party to show cause why the property should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“That in compliance with the order of the court, Applicant on the 30th January 2024 made publication on page 19 of The Punch newspaper and the Commission’s website. Since then, no person, body corporate or financial institution has come forward to show cause why the property should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“That applicant has now filed this Application for the final forfeiture of the Assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“That it is expedient and in the best interest of justice to grant this application. And that the respondents will not be prejudiced by the grant of this application.”

Lagos court orders forfeiture of 36 exotic cars allegedly stolen from Canada

News

Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim

Published

3 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed plans to arrest and prosecute TikTok user Mirabel after she admitted that her viral rape allegation was false, authorities and investigative reports indicate.

Mirabel, a social media influencer, first sparked national attention after posting videos alleging she had been sexually assaulted in her home in Ogijo, Ogun State. The posts quickly went viral, drawing widespread outrage, calls for justice, and prompting the police to launch an immediate investigation.

An audio recording of a phone conversation, shared online by social media personality VeryDarkMan (VDM), reportedly captures Mirabel acknowledging that parts of her story were fabricated. In the recording, she apologises and admits creating a threatening TikTok account to support her narrative, claiming she had been taking drugs at the time and “was not thinking clearly” when posting the videos.

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A police source said senior officers, including the Divisional Police Officer, were at the hospital where Mirabel was receiving medical care. Once she is discharged, she will be taken into custody and formally charged under provisions of Nigeria’s Criminal Code relating to false reporting of sexual offenses. “The essence is to serve as a deterrent to others,” the source added.

The Ogun State Police had earlier ensured that Mirabel received medical treatment and support, following procedures to protect her health while the investigation continued. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) confirmed that the incident fell outside its jurisdiction and forwarded all relevant information to the Ogun authorities.

This development has sparked public debate about the responsible use of social media, the impact of false allegations, and the importance of evidence-based reporting. Legal experts warn that fabricating sexual assault claims can carry serious criminal penalties and may undermine the credibility of genuine victims.

Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid spreading unverified claims and to cooperate with law enforcement in ongoing investigations. Updates on the case will be issued by the Ogun State Police Command as formal legal proceedings begin.

News

Tinubu Reduces Reliance on U.S, Strengthens Defence Partnerships With Turkey, EU

Published

3 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Tinubu Reduces Reliance on U.S, Strengthens Defence Partnerships With Turkey, EU

President Bola Tinubu has commenced a strategic expansion of Nigeria’s defence diplomacy, engaging the European Union (EU) and Turkey to strengthen the nation’s security architecture while reducing overreliance on the United States. The initiative comes as Nigeria faces multiple security threats, including Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east, farmer-herder clashes in the north-central region, separatist violence in the south-east, and escalating banditry in the north-west.

The move coincided with a visit to Brussels by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who led discussions at the first EU-Nigeria Peace, Security, and Defence Dialogue. Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration on regional stability, counter-terrorism, and violent extremism, while enhancing intelligence sharing, maritime security, and cybersecurity cooperation. An EU diplomat in Abuja emphasized that the bloc would provide non-lethal military support, while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, describing the EU as “more consistent, more reliable, and more coherent than the United States” in delivering security assistance.

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During his state visit to Turkey in January 2026, President Tinubu also held defence discussions with Turkish officials. Turkish companies pledged to supply military equipment, advanced systems, and tactical hardware, while exploring joint local production arrangements with Nigeria. Türkiye is currently regarded as a global leader in armed drones, which could bolster Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations and reconnaissance capabilities.

Despite these new partnerships, Nigeria continues security cooperation with the United States, including deployments by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) to support training, intelligence sharing, and operational planning. Recent U.S. personnel arrivals in Bauchi State aim to enhance counter-terrorism capacity without taking direct combat roles, operating under Nigerian command structures.

Analysts say Nigeria’s diversified defence diplomacy seeks to reduce dependency on a single partner, while providing access to a wider range of technology transfer, training opportunities, procurement options, and operational expertise. The strategy also reflects a broader trend of African nations balancing traditional defence alliances with emerging strategic partners to better address evolving security threats.

With regional instability and domestic insurgency on the rise, Nigeria’s engagement with Turkey, the EU, and other partners is expected to strengthen the Nigerian Armed Forces, enhance counter-terrorism operations, and secure national and regional stability.

Tinubu Reduces Reliance on U.S, Strengthens Defence Partnerships With Turkey, EU

News

Tinubu, German Chancellor Merz Pledge Stronger Nigeria-Germany Ties

Published

4 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

Tinubu, German Chancellor Merz Pledge Stronger Nigeria-Germany Ties

President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have agreed to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Germany, with a focus on security cooperation, power infrastructure, and railway development.

The commitment emerged during a telephone discussion on Wednesday, in which both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to expanding collaboration across critical sectors.

A major topic was Nigeria’s Presidential Power Initiative. President Tinubu highlighted the need for further support, particularly in power transmission infrastructure, to ensure reliable electricity supply nationwide. Chancellor Merz expressed Germany’s readiness to assist, noting that Siemens could provide technical support and Deutsche Bank could finance components of the initiative.

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Security concerns in the Sahel region also featured prominently in the call. President Tinubu stressed the urgent need for enhanced intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities, including the provision of used helicopters to strengthen regional security. “The Sahel corridor is bad and needs our support. Intelligence support and reconnaissance are needed,” he said.

Beyond security and infrastructure, both leaders emphasized the potential for collaboration in creative arts and skills development. Chancellor Merz highlighted the value of cultural exchange and proposed establishing a Great Museum of African Arts to promote African heritage internationally.

Nigeria-Germany diplomatic relations have spanned more than 65 years, with longstanding economic and political ties. Chancellor Merz also welcomed Nigeria’s incoming ambassador to Berlin, signaling intentions to further consolidate bilateral engagements.

The 10-minute telephone call, which began at 2:01 p.m. and ended at 2:10 p.m., was confirmed in a statement by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on February 18, 2026.