Federal High Court for Lagos don order say two Mercedes-Benz vehicles, mobile phones and other electronics wey dem link to convicted internet fraudster Ifeanyi Franklyn Arinze go finally forfeit to Federal Government.
Justice Yellim S. Bogoro give the order on Monday, November 9, 2026, after Economic and Financial Crimes Commission apply for am. The EFCC counsel, C. C. Okezie, move the application, and one EFCC operative, Buluebiere Karamo, swear affidavit wey support the request.
EFCC statement on Tuesday tok say the vehicles na white Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG and grey Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 AMG. Other items wey follow na orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, silver Samsung Fold 7, blue iPhone 13 and silver iPad. The commission suspect say dem buy the properties with money from unlawful activities.
For the affidavit, Karamo tok say EFCC get intelligence wey allege say Arinze be leader of internet fraud syndicate wey dey operate for Lagos. The EFCC claim say Arinze use the identity “Tonya” on iMessage to contact some victims for United States and tell dem to open foreign financial accounts like Zelle, Apple Pay, PayPal, Cash App and Venmo.
According to the commission, he allegedly direct the victims to transfer money wey enter those accounts to one Chinese national wey dem identify as “Chinko Applepay”. After the person receive the funds, EFCC allege say he credit Arinze Kuda Bank account with the naira equivalent. Arinze then allegedly transfer the money to other members of the syndicate and keep 10 per cent as commission.
EFCC tok say analysis of the Kuda Bank account show total inflows of N2,149,495,381.42 between August 2022 and February 2026. Investigation also allegedly show say Arinze operate 49 Gmail accounts, plus several Facebook and Instagram accounts, wey dem use for fraudulent activities.
The commission tok say dem arrest Arinze on April 20, 2024, during sting operation for Remi Olowude Street, Lekki, Lagos, with some other people. Dem later arraign am before Federal High Court on two-count charge wey concern computer-related fraud. EFCC say Arinze plead guilty and Justice Aneke convict am on June 5, 2024, and order am to maintain good behaviour and stop cyber-related offences.
But EFCC allege say Arinze violate the terms of that judgment by continuing money laundering and computer-related fraud after conviction and after he pay option of fine. The commission say fresh intelligence show say he resume fraudulent activities, and that prompt another investigation.
