Unique Motors, GIDI Auto, others Forfeiture 36 Exotic Cars ‘Stolen’ From Canada

A recent ruling by the Lagos Federal High Court has affected several auto dealers in the Lekki-Ajah, Ojodu-Berger, Ikeja, Festac Town, Magodo, and Ikota-Lekki areas of Lagos. Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted the final forfeiture of 36 luxury cars that were allegedly stolen from residential driveways and company car lots in Canada and shipped to Nigeria. The cars were initially placed under temporary forfeiture in November 2023, and the final order was granted after no person or organization came forward to claim them.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested the order under section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction. The EFCC had complied with the court’s order made on November 30, 2023, by advertising the interim forfeiture order on page 19 of a national newspaper on January 30, 2024, and no person or party filed any counterclaim to the forfeiture.

The respondents in the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/2051/2023 are fifteen auto dealers that include 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 forfeited cars included a 2017 Model Toyota Rav, ash color; 2019 Toyota Tacoma 2019 Model, silver color; 2019 Lexus RX 350 gray color, Lexus RX350 black color; 2019 Model 5 FORD FI50 black color; 2018 Model Honda CRV, black color; 2020 Toyota Tacoma black color; Dodge black color; Land Rover, and 2020 Lexus RX 350 Jeep, among others. The auto shops where the cars are recovered are located in Lekki-Ajah, Ojodu-Berger, Ikeja, Festac Town, Magodo, and Ikota-Lekki areas of Lagos.