The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to the Federal Government.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oluwaleke Atolagbe, moved an ex parte motion.
Although the ruling was delivered on April 24, the enrolled order was sighted on Wednesday, May 6.
The affected properties are located in high-value areas of Abuja.
They include four blocks of terraces at Dakibiyu; a duplex with penthouse and office complex at No. 3, Niger Street, MStreet; one standalone duplex at Villa 1, Unit 1, Palm Springs Estate, Mpape; and a block of 10 flats at No. 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Others are blocks of six flats at No. 1, Mubi Close, Garki; two blocks of 12 flats at Plot 1181, Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II; and one standalone duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama, Abuja.
The ninth property is a two-block building currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency at No. 5, Aguta Street, Garki, Abuja.
Justice Egwuatu ordered the interim forfeiture of the properties pending the hearing of the motion on notice for final forfeiture.
The judge said, “It is hereby ordered as follows: An interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting the properties listed in the schedule attached herein, being properties suspected to be proceeds of some unlawful activities pending the publication and hearing of the motion on notice for final forfeiture order of the said properties.
“An order of this honourable court is made directing the publication of the interim order under order (1) above for anyone who is interested in the property to appear before this honourable court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Court Orders Publication
The court also granted the EFCC’s request to publish the interim order in any two national newspapers, including ThisDay, The Guardian, The PUNCH, Vanguard, Tribune or Independent, within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the order.
The judge adjourned the matter till May 25 for a report of compliance.
The EFCC filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, under provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Atolagbe told the court that the properties were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and urged the court to allow interested parties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.
Sylva, a former Bayelsa State governor, has also been mentioned in connection with an alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, although he has not been formally charged in that case.
