Justice Yellim S. Bogoro issued the order on Monday, November 9, 2026, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement, the EFCC disclosed that the forfeited vehicles include a white Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG and a grey Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 AMG. Other items include an orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, a silver Samsung Fold 7, a blue iPhone 13 and a silver iPad.
According to the Commission, the properties were reasonably suspected to have been purchased with proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC explained that the application for final forfeiture was filed through its counsel, C.C. Okezie, and supported by an affidavit sworn by an operative of the Commission, Buluebiere Karamo.
The affidavit revealed that the EFCC had received intelligence alleging that Arinze was the leader of a syndicate involved in internet fraud in Lagos.
The Commission further alleged that Arinze operated under the identity of “Tonya” on iMessage, using the account to contact several victims in the United States and instruct them to create foreign financial accounts, including Zelle, Apple Pay, PayPal, Cash App and Venmo.
The victims were allegedly directed to transfer funds received through these accounts to a Chinese national identified as “Chinko Applepay”. The individual would reportedly convert the funds and credit Arinze’s Kuda Bank account with their naira equivalent.
Arinze was then alleged to have distributed the money among other members of the syndicate while retaining 10 per cent as commission.
An analysis of his Kuda Bank account reportedly revealed total inflows of N2,149,495,381.42 between August 2022 and February 2026.
Further investigations allegedly revealed that Arinze operated 49 Gmail accounts, alongside several Facebook and Instagram accounts, which were used in carrying out the fraudulent activities.
The EFCC also disclosed that Arinze was previously arrested on April 20, 2024, during a sting operation at Remi Olowude Street, Lekki, Lagos, alongside several other individuals.
He was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court on a two-count charge bordering on computer-related fraud. According to the Commission, he pleaded guilty and was convicted on June 5, 2024, by Justice Aneke, who ordered him to maintain good behaviour and refrain from further involvement in cyber-related offences.
However, the EFCC alleged that Arinze violated the terms of the judgment by returning to money laundering and computer-related fraud after his conviction and payment of the option of a fine.
Following fresh intelligence suggesting that he had continued his alleged fraudulent activities, the Commission launched another investigation, during which it discovered that the properties listed in the forfeiture application were allegedly acquired with proceeds of fraudulent activities carried out after his earlier conviction.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on July 17, 2026, directing the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to give any interested individual or organisation an opportunity to explain why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
During Monday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel C.C. Okezie informed the court that the Commission had complied with the directive by publishing the interim forfeiture notice in The Guardian newspaper on September 16, 2026.
She further told the court that no individual or organisation had appeared to contest the forfeiture or provide reasons why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Consequently, Justice Bogoro granted the application and ordered the final forfeiture of the listed assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
