Federal Court Orders Temporary Seizure of Properties Linked to Timipre Sylva
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim confiscation of nine properties allegedly associated with former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva. The ruling, issued by Justice Obiola Egwatu, was made on Wednesday following an ex-parte application submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Proceeds of Illegal Activity to be Forfeited
The court’s decision mandates that assets suspected to be proceeds from unlawful activities be forfeited to the federal government until a final ruling on the forfeiture motion is made. Justice Egwatu emphasized that the interim order must be disseminated through at least two national newspapers, allowing any interested parties to present their case in court within 14 days, arguing against the permanent forfeiture of their assets.
Mandatory Publication of Interim Order
The judge further instructed that a true copy of the judgment, which includes a list of specified newspapers such as Punch, Guardian, Vanguard, Tribune, Thisday, and the Independent, should be published within seven days of the court’s order. “This interim order aims to forfeit the properties listed, which are believed to be proceeds of wrongful actions, pending the hearing of the motion for a final confiscation order,” stated the judge in the ruling.
Next Steps and Legal Representation
The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 25 to review compliance with the order. The EFCC’s legal representative, Mr. Oluwaleke Atlalagbe, argued for the application, asserting that the properties in question were reportedly acquired through illegal means.
Details of the Affected Properties
The properties targeted by the court’s order are situated in some of Abuja’s most prestigious areas, including Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Mpape, and Dakibiyu. The list encompasses four blocks of terraces with adjoining baths, a duplex featuring a penthouse and office complex on Niger Street, and a detached duplex in Palm Springs Estate, Mpape, along with a 10-unit apartment complex in Wuse Zone 4.
Additional Properties Under Scrutiny
Other properties include a six-unit apartment complex in Garki, two blocks with a total of 12 apartments in Wuse II, an independent duplex in Maitama, and another two-block building in Garki currently utilized by the National Information Technology Development Authority.
Legal Context and Accusations Against Sylva
The application for the interim confiscation was filed under the Advance Payment Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act of 2006, with the EFCC seeking temporary seizure pending further proceedings. Point Blank News has reported that former Bayelsa State Governor Sylva is also linked to an attempted coup against President Bola Tinubu; however, he has not been formally charged in this matter and is reportedly still at large.
