The Federal High Court in Abuja has deferred the ongoing forfeiture proceedings initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against nine choice properties linked to former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva. The matter, which was slated for hearing this past Tuesday, was pushed to February 23, 2027, following the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who was away on an official engagement.
The court is currently overseeing the process following an ex-parte motion filed by the anti-graft agency, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026. On April 24, Justice Egwuatu granted an interim order forfeiting the nine assets—all situated in prime locations across the Federal Capital Territory—to the federal government. As part of the proceedings, the court had mandated the EFCC to publicize the forfeiture order in two national newspapers, granting interested parties a 14-day window to justify why a final forfeiture order should not be issued.
During previous sessions, legal representatives appeared for several of the affected properties. Benson Ibezim entered an appearance for the assets listed as numbers one and nine, which include four blocks of terraces in Dakibiyu and two building blocks in Garki currently utilized by the National Information Technology Development Agency. Similarly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alex Ejiesieme, represented claimants for the properties identified as numbers two and five, specifically a duplex with a penthouse in Maitama and an eight-unit residential block on Misratah Street, Wuse II. Other legal counsel, including Ajayi Olowo and Emmanuella Imonikeh, appeared for properties located at Thaba Tseka Crescent and the Palm Springs Estate in Mpape, respectively.
While multiple parties have submitted affidavits to challenge the seizure, the EFCC noted that three properties—identified as numbers four, six, and eight—have remained unclaimed. These include a 10-unit block of flats in Wuse Zone 4, a six-unit block at No. 1 Mubi Close, and a stand-alone duplex located at No. 18 Nile Lake, Maitama.
Lead counsel for the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, indicated that the commission had moved for the final forfeiture of these unclaimed assets. However, the court noted discrepancies in the filing process and underscored the necessity of strict procedural compliance. Justice Egwuatu previously directed the EFCC to ensure that all relevant parties are properly served and that the notice for final forfeiture is published with the same rigor as the initial interim order. The court emphasized that these steps are essential to guarantee the right to a fair hearing before a final determination is reached on the status of the contested assets.
Source: NaijaProbe