The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Tuesday adjourned a forfeiture case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against nine properties linked to a former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, until February 23, 2027, for a report of compliance.
The matter, which was number four on the cause list, could not proceed because Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, was attending another official engagement.
The case was consequently fixed for February 23, 2027, for the EFCC’s report of compliance on the orders made, following the interim order for forfeiture of the properties to the federal government.
Mr Justice Egwuatu on April 24, ordered the temporary forfeiture of the nine properties linked to Mr Sylva, who is also a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, to the federal government.
The judge made the order after Oluwaleke Atolagbe moved an ex-parte motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, to that effect.
Mr Egwuatu also granted the EFCC’s request to publish the order in any two newspapers within seven 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.
When the case came up on May 25 for a report of compliance, 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 of buildings 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 its 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 third property listed as “one standalone duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape.”
Mr Atolagbe then informed the court that although about six parties had filed their affidavits to show cause regarding the properties, no party had indicated interest in the three remaining properties in the schedule.
The properties yet to be claimed include numbers four, six and eight 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 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.
The judge, however, said that the motion was not filed in court.
When Mr Atolagbe was asked if the parties, who had shown cause, had been served, he said only one of the parties was served.
The lawyer said the commission had complied with the earlier order of the court by publishing the enrolled order in Tribune and Punch Newspapers.
He, however, said he was yet to file an affidavit of compliance.
Mr Egwuatu directed Mr Atolagbe to publish the motion on notice seeking final forfeiture of the three properties the way the enrolled order was published.
He also ordered him to serve the parties who were yet to be served and file his report of compliance on the earlier interim order in the interest of fair hearing.
The judge, who ordered the lawyer to also respond to the processes filed by the interested parties, adjourned the matter for a report of compliance.
(NAN)