The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of a large number of assets, including 1,596 computers and laptops, 4,091 phones, seven vehicles, and approximately 70 other items. These assets were seized during a surprise operation called “Eagle Flush Operation,” led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos. The operation targeted a group of 193 foreign nationals and 599 Nigerians, who were arrested on December 10, 2024, at a hideout in Big Leaf Building, Victoria Island, Lagos, for alleged involvement in cryptocurrency fraud, computer-related fraud, money laundering, and romance scams.
Some of those arrested have already been charged before several Federal High Court judges, along with a company, Genting International, which is linked to the fraudulent activities involving Chinese and Filipino nationals.
In seeking the interim forfeiture order, EFCC counsel Bima Isah argued that the Commission had received intelligence about a large-scale fraud operation involving foreign nationals in Lagos. He also claimed the syndicate financed its activities through Genting International Co. Limited and that the seized assets were believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
After reviewing the application under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 2006, Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted the order. The judge instructed that the EFCC publish the order in a national newspaper, allowing anyone with an interest in the assets to appear in court within 14 days to explain why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The seized assets include 3,399 SIM cards, 194 routers, 129 air conditioning units, 40 refrigerators, 14 inverters, seven generators, 205 sofas, 501 double-step bunks, 754 mattresses, 10 microwaves, 2 whiteboards, 16 inverter batteries, 43 CPUs/monitors, and several other items such as fuel tanks, deep freezers, TVs, network servers, gas cylinders, and kitchen appliances.
In an affidavit, EFCC investigator Kaina Garba explained that the forfeiture orders were necessary to prevent tampering with the assets, which were believed to be tools used in computer fraud and money laundering by a foreign criminal syndicate operating in Lagos. The affidavit further detailed that the syndicate recruited and trained Nigerian youths for cyber fraud activities, including investment, romance, and dating scams.
The operation on December 10, 2024, led to the seizure of the assets from the syndicate’s headquarters and the arrest of 761 suspects, including foreign nationals and Nigerians. The EFCC has yet to apprehend the main leaders and financiers of the criminal syndicate, who remain at large but are being actively pursued.
Justice Dipeolu concluded, “Having reviewed the motion and supporting documents, I find sufficient merit in the application. The motion is granted.”