The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary forfeiture of nine high-value properties allegedly linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to the Federal Government.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu following an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe.
According to the court, the properties—suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities—will remain under interim forfeiture pending the hearing of a motion for final forfeiture. The court also directed that the order be published in national newspapers, giving interested parties 14 days to appear and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the government.
Justice Egwuatu further mandated the EFCC to publish the order within seven days in at least two national dailies, while the case has been adjourned to May 25 for a compliance report.
The properties in question are located across prime areas of Abuja, including Dakibiyu, Mpape, Garki, Wuse II, and Maitama. They range from luxury duplexes and terrace buildings to multiple-unit residential flats, with one property currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.
The EFCC’s application, filed under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, argues that the assets are linked to illicit financial activities.
