Court postpones forfeiture case involving properties linked to Sylva

The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned a forfeiture case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against nine properties linked to former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva until 16 July.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu postponed the proceedings after EFCC counsel Oluwaleke Atolagbe was unable to submit a compliance report regarding the earlier interim order that had been issued against the properties.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Justice Egwuatu had ordered the temporary forfeiture of the nine properties on 24 April. Sylva, who also served as a former minister of state for petroleum resources, was to have the assets transferred to the federal government.

The order followed an ex parte motion (FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026) filed by Atolagbe.

Justice Egwuatu also granted the EFCC permission to publish the order in any two newspapers within seven days of receiving a certified true copy, allowing interested parties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture should not be made.

The properties are situated in high‑value areas of Abuja.

The judge set a new adjournment for 25 May to receive a compliance report.

When the hearing resumed on Monday, Benson Ibezim represented the EFCC for properties listed as 1 and 9. These include four terrace blocks at Dakibiyu and two building blocks at Garki, which are currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.

Alex Ejiesieme, SAN, appeared for parties seeking to show cause regarding properties 2 and 5—a duplex with a penthouse and office complex in Maitama, and eight one‑bedroom flats at No. 8, Misratah Street, Wuse II.

Ajayi Olowo represented a party for property 7, consisting of two blocks with 12 flats at Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, while Emmanuela Imonikeh represented the third property, a standalone duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape.

Atolagbe informed the court that although about six parties had filed affidavits to show cause, no party had claimed interest in the remaining three properties listed in the schedule.

NAN reports that the unclaimed properties are numbers 4, 6 and 8. They comprise a block of ten flats at Wuse Zone 4, a six‑unit block at No. 1, Mubi Close, and a standalone duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama.

The EFCC lawyer stated that a motion on notice seeking final forfeiture of the three unclaimed properties was filed on 22 May, as no one had shown cause against permanent forfeiture.

The judge noted that the motion had not been filed in the court.

When asked whether the parties who had shown cause had been served, Atolagbe replied that only one party had been served.

The lawyer confirmed that the commission had complied with the earlier court order by publishing the enrolled order in the Tribune and Punch newspapers, but he had not yet filed an affidavit of compliance.

Justice Egwuatu directed Atolagbe to publish the motion on notice for the final forfeiture of the three properties in the same manner as the enrolled order, to serve the remaining parties, and to file a compliance report regarding the earlier interim order to ensure a fair hearing.

The judge, who also instructed the lawyer to respond to the processes filed by the interested parties, adjourned the case until 16 July for a compliance report. (NAN)

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