Court Seizes Nine Properties Linked To Sylva In Interim Forfeiture Ruling

Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order following an ex parte application filed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Oluwaleke Atolagbe.

Although the ruling was delivered on April 24, the certified order was only made available on May 6.

The properties affected are located in high-value areas of Abuja and include multiple residential and commercial buildings, such as terraces in Dakibiyu, duplexes and flats in Maitama, Wuse, Garki, and Mpape, as well as a building currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency in Garki.

Justice Egwuatu ruled that the assets should remain under interim forfeiture pending the hearing of a motion for final forfeiture.

He further directed that the order be published in at least two national newspapers to allow any interested parties to appear in court within 14 days and show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The court also instructed that the EFCC comply with publication requirements within seven days of receiving the certified order and adjourned the matter to May 25 for a report on compliance.

According to the EFCC, the properties are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, and the case was filed under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Sylva, a former Bayelsa State governor, has also been mentioned in relation to an alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, although he has not been formally charged in that matter.