Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of Nine Abuja Properties Linked to Timipre Sylva
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.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oluwaleke Atolagbe, moved an ex parte motion seeking the forfeiture. The ruling was delivered on April 24, the enrolled order was sighted on Wednesday.
The judge ruled:
“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.”
Justice Egwuatu also granted the EFCC’s request that the order be published in any two of the following newspapers: THISDAY, The Guardian, Punch, Vanguard, Tribune, or Independent within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the order.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until May 25 for a report of compliance.
The commission, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, filed the application pursuant to the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
While moving the motion, Atolagbe sought 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.
He argued that the properties were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The lawyer also urged the court to direct the anti-graft agency to publish the order in a national newspaper to enable interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the final forfeiture order should not be granted in favour of the Federal Government.
The affected assets are located in high-value areas of Abuja.
They include four blocks of terrace apartments at Dakibiyu; a duplex with a penthouse and office complex at No. 3, Niger Street, M. Street; a standalone duplex at Villa 1, Unit 1, Palm Springs Estate, Mpape; and a block of 10 flats at No. 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Others are a block of six flats at No. 1, Mubi Close, Garki, Abuja; two blocks containing 12 flats at Plot 1181, Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; and a standalone duplex 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) at No. 5, Aguta Street, Garki, Abuja.
