By Taiye Agbaje and Chinyere Onuorah
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned a forfeiture case filed by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against nine properties
linked to former Gov. Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa until July 16.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu adjourned the matter following the inability of the EFCC’s
lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, to file a report of compliance in respect of the earlier
interim order granted against the properties.
Recall that Justice Egwuatu had, on April 24, ordered the temporary forfeiture of
the nine properties linked to Sylva, who is also a former Minister of State for
Petroleum Resources, to the Federal Government.
The judge made the order after Atolagbe moved an ex-parte motion, marked:
FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, to the effect.
Justice Egwuatu also granted the EFCC’s request for the publication of the order in
any two newspapers within 7 days from the date of receipt of the certified true
copy of the order for interested person(s) to show cause within 14 days why a final
order of forfeiture should not be made.
The affected assets are located across high-value areas in Abuja. The judge then
adjourned the matter until May 25 for a report of compliance.
Upon resumed hearing on Monday, Benson Ibezim appeared for properties listed in
the EFCC’s schedule as 1 and 9.
The properties are four blocks of terraces at Dakibiyu and two blocks building at
Garki, currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development
Agency.
Alex Ejiesieme, SAN, represented parties seeking to show cause with respect to
properties listed as 2 and 5 (a duplex with penthouse and office complex at
Maitama and eight units of one bedroom flat at No. 8, Misratah Street, Wuse II,
Abuja).
Ajayi Olowo, on his part, appeared for a property listed as 7 (two blocks with 12
units of flats at Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II) in the schedule, while
Emmanuellla Imonikeh represented the 3rd property listed as “one standalone
duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape.”
Atolagbe informed the court that though about six parties had filed their affidavits
to show cause in respect of the properties, he said no party had indicated interest in
the three remaining properties in the schedule which include numbers 4, 6 and 8 in
the schedule.
They include block of flats with 10 units of flats at Wuse Zone 4; block of flats
with six units of flats at No. 1, Mubi Close; and one stand-alone duplex at No. 18,
Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama respectively.
The EFCC’s lawyer therefore informed the court that a motion on notice seeking a
final forfeiture of the three properties to the Federal Government had been filed on
May 22, since no one had shown cause why the assets should not be permanently
forfeited but was rejected by the judge who said that the motion was not in the
court file.
Justice Egwuatu directed Atolagbe to publish the motion on notice seeking final
forfeiture of the three properties and also ordered him to serve the parties who
were yet to be served.
The judge then adjourned the matter until July 16.
