The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties allegedly linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, in favour of the Federal Government.
The order was granted by Justice Obiora Egwuatu following an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe.
Although the ruling was delivered on April 24, it only came to public attention on Wednesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
In his decision, Justice Egwuatu directed that the properties, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, be temporarily forfeited pending the determination of a motion on notice for final forfeiture.
The court further ordered that the interim forfeiture be published in at least two national newspapers, giving any interested parties 14 days to appear before the court and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the government.
Additionally, the judge instructed that the publication must be carried out within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the order. The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 25 for a report on compliance.
The EFCC filed the application in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026 under the provisions of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, seeking an interim forfeiture order pending the final determination of the case.
