Thursday, May 7, 2026 - A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary forfeiture of nine properties linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order following an
application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), moved by
its counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe.
In his ruling, the judge said: “An interim order of this
honourable court is made forfeiting the properties being properties suspected
to be proceeds of some unlawful activities pending the publication and hearing
of the motion on notice for final forfeiture order.”
The judge added: “An order is made directing the publication
for anyone who is interested in the property to appear within 14 days why the
final order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
The court further granted the EFCC’s request that the notice
be published within seven days of receipt of the official court order. The
matter was adjourned until May 25 for a report on compliance.
According to the EFCC, the application was filed under the
Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. The agency said the
properties are suspected to be linked to unlawful activities.
The properties are located in various high-value areas of
Abuja. They include terrace buildings in Dakibiyu, a duplex with a penthouse
and office space on Niger Street, a unit in Palm Springs Estate in Mpape, and
several blocks of flats in Wuse, Garki and Maitama.
One of the buildings is currently occupied by the National
Information Technology Development Agency in Garki.
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