The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the interim forfeiture of nine properties associated with former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, handing control of the assets to the Federal Government pending further proceedings.
The order was issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu after an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe. Although the ruling was delivered on April 24, the enrolled court order became publicly available on May 6.
The properties, located in upscale districts of Abuja, include multiple residential developments such as terrace blocks in Dakibiyu, a duplex with a penthouse and office complex on Niger Street, and several apartment blocks across Wuse, Garki, and Maitama. Also affected is a two-block structure currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu stated that the assets are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and should remain under interim forfeiture pending the determination of a motion for final forfeiture. He further directed that the order be published in national newspapers, inviting any interested parties to appear before the court within 14 days to justify why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the government.
The court also mandated the EFCC to ensure publication of the order in at least two major newspapers within seven days of receiving the certified ruling. The matter has been adjourned to May 25 for a compliance report.
The EFCC filed the suit under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, arguing that the properties were acquired through illicit means.
Separately, Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has been linked to an alleged coup plot involving President Bola Tinubu. However, no formal charges have been filed against him in that matter, and reports indicate he remains at large.
