Court orders interim takeover of Sylva’s nine properties

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties linked to the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to the Federal Government.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu made the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, moved an ex parte motion to the effect.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that though Justice Egwuatu delivered the ruling on April 24, the enrolled order was sighted on Wednesday, May 6.

The affected assets are located across high-value areas in 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 flats with 10 units of flats at No. 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

Others are blocks of flats with six units of flats at No. 1, Mubi Close, Garki, Abuja; two blocks with 12 units of flats at Plot 1181, Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; one standalone duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama, Abuja,

The ninth property is a two-block building, which is currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency, and is located at No. 5, Aguta Street, Garki, Abuja.

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.”

Justice Egwuatu also granted the EFCC’s request that the publication of the order shall be made in any two of the following newspapers: Thisday, Guardian, PUNCH, Vanguard, Tribune or Independent Newspapers within seven days from the receipt of the certified true copy of the order.

The judge then adjourned the matter until May 25 for a report of compliance.

The commission had, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, filed the application under provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Moving the motion, Atolagbe sought an interim order, forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government pending the publication and hearing of the motion on notice for a final forfeiture order of the said properties.

He said the properties were suspected to be proceeds of some unlawful activities.

The lawyer urged the court to direct the anti-graft agency to make the publication of the order in any national newspaper for anyone who is interested in the properties to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

The PUNCH reports that Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has also been mentioned in connection with an alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, though he has not been formally charged in that case and is reportedly still at large.