May 25 (THEWILL) — The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, adjourned further proceedings in a forfeiture case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against nine properties linked to former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, until July 16, 2026, following the emergence of multiple claimants to the assets.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the new date after the EFCC failed to file a report of compliance in respect of an earlier interim forfeiture order granted against the properties.
The anti-graft agency is seeking the final forfeiture of the assets, located in several high-value districts of Abuja, to the Federal Government.
The matter arose from an ex parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, through which the EFCC secured an interim forfeiture order on April 24, against the properties allegedly linked to Sylva, who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
In granting the earlier application, Justice Egwuatu directed the commission to publish the interim forfeiture order in two national newspapers within seven days of obtaining the certified true copy, to enable interested persons to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
The case had earlier been adjourned to May 25 for a report of compliance.
At Monday’s proceedings, several lawyers appeared on behalf of parties laying claim to some of the properties listed in the EFCC’s schedule.
Benson Ibezim represented claimants linked to properties numbered 1 and 9, identified as four blocks of terrace buildings at Dakibiyu and two blocks of buildings at Garki, reportedly occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alex Ejiesieme, appeared for parties contesting the forfeiture of properties listed as numbers 2 and 5, including a duplex with a penthouse and office complex in Maitama, as well as eight units of one-bedroom flats located at No. 8 Misratah Street, Wuse II, Abuja.
Ajayi Olowo represented interests connected to property number 7, described as two blocks containing 12 flats at Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, while Emmanuella Imonikeh appeared for claimants linked to property number 3, a standalone duplex located at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape.
Counsel to the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that about six parties had filed affidavits to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
He, however, stated that no individual or organisation had come forward to claim ownership of the remaining three properties listed as numbers 4, 6 and 8 in the schedule.
The unclaimed properties include a block of 10 flats located in Wuse Zone 4, a six-unit block of flats at No. 1 Mubi Close, and a standalone duplex at No. 18 Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama.
Atolagbe further disclosed that the commission had filed a motion on notice on May 22 seeking a final forfeiture order for the three unclaimed properties, arguing that no party had shown cause against their permanent seizure by the Federal Government.
The judge, however, observed that the motion was not yet before the court.
When queried on whether all interested parties had been served with the relevant court processes, the EFCC lawyer admitted that only one party had been served.
Although Atolagbe told the court that the commission complied with the publication order by placing notices in the Tribune and Punch newspapers, he acknowledged that an affidavit of compliance had yet to be filed.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently directed the EFCC to publish the motion seeking final forfeiture of the three unclaimed properties in the same manner the interim order was published.
The judge also ordered the commission to serve all parties yet to receive the processes and file the necessary compliance reports in the interest of a fair hearing.
He further directed the EFCC to respond to all processes filed by the interested parties before adjourning the matter until July 16 for a report of compliance.
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