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.
News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oluwaleke Atolagbe, moved an ex-parte motion seeking the temporary forfeiture of the assets.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Egwuatu stated:
“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.”
The judge also granted the EFCC’s request that the publication of the interim forfeiture order be made within seven days from the receipt of the certified true copy of the order.
Following the ruling, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until May 25 for a report of compliance.
The anti-graft agency had filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026 under the provisions of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
While moving the motion, Atolagbe urged the court to grant 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.
According to him, the properties are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC lawyer further prayed the court to direct the commission to publish the order in a national newspaper to enable any interested person to appear before the court within 14 days and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The affected assets are located across several high-value areas in Abuja.
Among them are four blocks of terraces located at Dakibiyu; a duplex with penthouse and office complex at No. 3, Niger Street, MStreet; a standalone duplex at Villa 1, Unit 1, Palm Springs Estate, Mpape; and a block of flats comprising 10 units at No. 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Also listed are a block of flats containing six units at No. 1, Mubi Close, Garki, Abuja; two blocks containing 12 units of flats at Plot 1181, Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; and a standalone duplex situated 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 (NITDA), located at No. 5, Aguta Street, Garki, Abuja.