The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) bid to permanently forfeit nine properties linked to former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, until February 23, 2027.
The case, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, was adjourned for the EFCC to report compliance with earlier court directives, including the publication of relevant processes, service on interested parties and the filing of an affidavit confirming compliance.
The proceedings could not continue as scheduled on Tuesday because the judge was attending another official engagement.
The case concerns nine properties which the court ordered to be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government on April 24, following an ex-parte application by the EFCC.
Court demands proof of compliance
The interim forfeiture order, made in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, required the EFCC to publish the order in two national newspapers within seven days of receiving the certified true copy.
The publication was intended to notify anyone with an interest in the properties to appear before the court within 14 days and explain why a final forfeiture order should not be made.
At an earlier sitting on May 25, EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that about six parties had filed affidavits to establish their interests in some of the properties.
However, he said no interested parties had come forward in respect of three assets listed as numbers four, six and eight in the commission’s schedule.
They comprise a block of 10 flats in Wuse Zone 4, a block of six flats at No. 1, Mubi Close, and a standalone duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama, Abuja.
Atolagbe informed the court that the commission had filed a motion on notice on May 22, seeking the final forfeiture of the three properties because no one had indicated an interest in them.
Justice Egwuatu, however, observed that the application was not in the court file.
EFCC yet to complete service on interested parties
The court also raised concerns about service of processes on parties who had filed affidavits to show cause.
When asked whether the parties had been served, Atolagbe said only one had received the relevant processes.
He told the court that the EFCC had complied with the earlier publication directive by placing the interim forfeiture order in *Tribune* and *The Punch* newspapers.
The lawyer, however, acknowledged that the commission had yet to file an affidavit of compliance.
Justice Egwuatu directed the EFCC to publish its application for the final forfeiture of the three unclaimed properties in the same manner as the interim order.
The judge also instructed the commission to serve all outstanding parties, file evidence of compliance with the earlier order and respond to processes submitted by interested parties.
The directives were aimed at ensuring that all parties had an opportunity to present their claims before the court made a decision on permanent forfeiture.
Properties include buildings in Maitama, Wuse and Garki
The nine properties are located in several parts of Abuja, including Maitama, Wuse II, Garki, Dakibiyu and Mpape.
They include four blocks of terrace buildings in Dakibiyu and a two-block building in Garki currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Other assets listed in the EFCC’s schedule include a duplex with a penthouse and an office complex in Maitama, eight one-bedroom flats on Misratah Street, Wuse II, and two blocks containing 12 flats at Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II.
A standalone duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape, is also among the properties.
At the May 25 sitting, lawyers appeared for parties seeking to establish interests in several of the assets.
Benson Ibezim represented parties connected to properties one and nine, while Senior Advocate of Nigeria Alex Ejiesieme appeared for parties interested in properties two and five.
Ajayi Olowo represented parties connected to property seven, while Emmanuella Imonikeh appeared for an interested party concerning property three.
The three assets for which the EFCC is seeking a separate final forfeiture order are yet to attract any claimant, according to the commission’s lawyer.
The court fixed February 23, 2027, for a report of compliance.
No final forfeiture order has been made against the nine properties.
