The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim seizure of nine properties owned by former minister of state for petroleum resources Timipre Sylva by the Federal Government.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the decision after Economic and Financial Crimes Commission counsel Oluwaleke Atolagbe filed an ex parte motion to that effect.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Justice Egwuatu issued the verdict on April 24, but the enrolled order was not sighted until Wednesday, May 6.
The affected assets are spread across high-value neighborhoods of Abuja.
They comprise four terrace blocks in Dakibiyu; a duplex with a penthouse and office complex at No. 3, M Street, Niger Street; one standalone duplex at Villa 1, Unit 1, Palm Springs Estate, Mpape; and a block of flats with ten units at No. 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Others include blocks of apartments with six units at No. 1, Mubi Close, Garki, Abuja; two blocks with 12 units at Plot 1181, Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; and one standalone duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama, Abuja.
The ninth property is a two-block structure currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency at No. 5, Aguta Street, Garki, Abuja.
The judge said, “It is hereby ordered as follows: An interim order of this honorable 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 a final forfeiture order of the said properties.
“An order of this honorable 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 honorable court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favor of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Justice Egwuatu also allowed the EFCC’s request that the order be published in any two of the following newspapers: Thisday, Guardian, PUNCH, Vanguard, Tribune, and Independent newspapers within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the order.
The judge then delayed the case until May 25 to receive a compliance report.
In the suit dated FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, the commission filed the application under the provisions of the 2006 Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act.
Moving the motion, Atolagbe requested an interim order forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government until publication and hearing of the motion on notice for a final forfeiture order of the same properties.
He stated that the properties were considered to be the results of some illegal operations.
The lawyer urged the court to direct the anti-graft agency to publish the decision in any national newspaper and for anyone interested in the properties to show cause within 14 days as to why the final forfeiture judgment should not be granted in favor of the Federal Government.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has also been mentioned in connection with an alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, though he has not been formally charged in that case and is reportedly still at large.
