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 over alleged proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order following an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel Oluwaleke Atolagbe.
Although the ruling was delivered on April 24, the enrolled order was made available on Wednesday.
The court directed that the properties be temporarily forfeited pending the hearing of a motion for final forfeiture. It also ordered the EFCC to publish the interim order in two national newspapers, allowing any interested party to appear within 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
The judge adjourned the case to May 25 for a report of compliance.
The properties, all located in Abuja, include multiple residential and commercial buildings in high-value districts such as Dakibiyu, Wuse, Maitama, Garki, Mpape, and Palm Springs Estate. One of the properties is currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The EFCC said the assets are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities under provisions of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
The case forms part of ongoing investigations linked to an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, in which Sylva was named as a suspected conspirator but has not been formally charged. He is currently said to be outside the country.
Sylva, a former Bayelsa State governor, has previously denied any involvement in the allegations, stating he was abroad for medical and professional engagements and has remained outside Nigeria since then.
The development adds to a broader set of ongoing prosecutions involving military officers and civilians accused of involvement in the alleged coup plot.
