A federal court in Lagos has ordered the temporary seizure of properties and automobiles associated with convicted cybercriminal Obinwanne Okeke, also known as Invictus Obi, on Friday.
The judge, Peter Lifu, issued the ruling following an ex-parte application submitted and contested by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel Chinenye Okezie. Mr Okeke is serving a ten-year term in the United States for his role in an $11 million computer-based intrusion fraud scheme.
According to the judge, the forfeiture includes “all that property lying, being and situated at 5 bedroom duplex at Standard Estate, Kabusa, Abuja”.
A Toyota Corolla and an unregistered Toyota Corolla Sport are among the vehicles seized under the court order. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the assets would be used to rehabilitate foreign victims of Mr Okeke’s fraud via the United States of America Consulate.
“I have listened to the submission of the counsel to the applicant vis-a-vis an affidavit filed in support. I hold in my considered view that this application is meritorious and ought to be granted.
“Consequently this application is hereby granted as prayed,” said Judge Lifu. The court further directed that the Commission publish the ruling in a widely-circulated Nigerian newspaper within 14 days, allowing anyone with interest 14 days to justify why the order should not be made permanent.
Judge Lifu adjourned his court on the forfeiture motion and will make an official ruling on November 30.
