Court adjourns Sylva asset forfeiture suit to July 16

By Vivian Okejeme

Further hearing in the asset forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC) against nine properties linked to former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, will continue on July 16.

The anti graft agency had on May 22, through an ex parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, secured an order of interim forfeiture of the nine properties to the FG.

At the last proceeding, the case was adjourned to May 25, for a compliance report.

However, when the matter was called, Monday, counsel to the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that he had yet to file a report of compliance with the interim forfeiture order earlier granted by the court.

Recall that in granting the interim order, the court also approved the EFCC’s request to publish the order in two national newspapers within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the ruling, directing interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The properties allegedly linked to Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources are located in various parts of Abuja, include residential and commercial buildings situated in Maitama, Wuse II, Garki, Mpape, and Dakibiyu.

The properties include four blocks of terraces located in Dakibiyu and two blocks of buildings in Garki currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.

Alex Ejiesieme (SAN) represented parties seeking to show cause in relation to properties listed as numbers two and five in the schedule.

The affected properties include a duplex with a penthouse and an office complex in Maitama, as well as eight one-bedroom flats located at No. 8 Misratah Street, Wuse II, Abuja.

Ajayi Olowo appeared for the property listed as number seven, described as two blocks containing 12 units of flats situated at Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II.

Emmanuela Imonikeh represented parties connected to the third property listed as “one standalone duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape.”
During proceedings, Atolagbe informed the court that about six parties had already filed affidavits to show cause regarding some of the properties.

He, however, stated that no person or organisation had shown interest in the remaining three properties listed in the schedule.

The unclaimed properties, listed as numbers four, six, and eight, include a 10-unit block of flats in Wuse Zone 4; a six-unit block of flats at No. 1 Mubi Close; and a standalone duplex located at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama.

The EFCC lawyer further disclosed that the commission had filed a motion on notice on May 22 seeking a final forfeiture order for the three unclaimed properties on the basis that no party had contested the interim forfeiture order.

He also stated that the commission complied with the court’s directive by publishing the interim forfeiture order in Punch.

Therefore, the court directed the prosecution to publish the motion seeking final forfeiture of the three unclaimed properties in the same manner as the interim order.

The judge also ordered the EFCC to serve all parties yet to be served and file a report of compliance relating to the interim forfeiture order to ensure fair hearing.

Justice Egwuatu further directed the commission to respond to all processes already filed by parties contesting the forfeiture proceedings.

The matter is adjourned until July 16, for a report of compliance.