Court Adjourns EFCC Forfeiture Case Over Properties Linked To Timipre Sylva

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

Justice Obiora Egwuatu adjourned the matter after EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, failed to file a compliance report regarding an earlier interim order granted on the properties.

According to reports, the court had on April 24 ordered the interim forfeiture of the nine properties allegedly linked to Sylva, who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

The order followed an ex parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026 filed by the EFCC.

Justice Egwuatu also directed that the order be published in two national newspapers within seven days of receipt of the certified true copy, giving interested parties 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture should not be granted.

The affected properties are located in high-brow areas of Abuja.

At Monday’s proceedings, several lawyers appeared for different interested parties laying claim to various properties in the schedule.

Counsel Benson Ibezim appeared for properties listed as 1 and 9, which include four blocks of terraces in Dakibiyu and two blocks of buildings in Garki currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alex Ejiesieme, represented parties concerning properties listed as 2 and 5, which include a duplex with a penthouse and an office complex in Maitama, as well as eight one-bedroom flats in Wuse II.

Ajayi Olowo appeared for property number 7, a set of 12 flats in Wuse II, while Emmanuela Imonikeh represented the owner of a standalone duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape.

The EFCC counsel told the court that about six parties had filed affidavits to show cause, but noted that no interest had been expressed in properties listed as 4, 6, and 8.

These include a block of 10 flats in Wuse Zone 4, a block of six flats at Mubi Close, and a duplex at Nile Lake, Maitama.

He further informed the court that a motion on notice seeking final forfeiture of the unclaimed properties had been filed on May 22.

However, the judge noted that the motion was not yet in the court file.

The court also queried whether all affected parties had been duly served, with the EFCC counsel confirming that only one party had been served.

Justice Egwuatu ordered the EFCC to ensure proper service of all pending processes and to publish the motion seeking final forfeiture in the same manner as the earlier order.

He also directed the commission to file a proper compliance report and respond to all processes filed by interested parties.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to July 16 for report of compliance.