Court adjourns EFCC Sylva property forfeiture case over compliance delay in suit involving nine Abuja properties linked to Timipre Sylva

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday, May 25, 2026, adjourned further proceedings in the forfeiture case involving nine properties linked to former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission failed to file a required compliance report.

Also read: Tinubu Admits Economic Hardship and Security Challenges in Nigeria

Justice Obiora Egwuatu adjourned the matter to July 16 following the inability of EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, to present a report confirming compliance with an earlier interim forfeiture order issued by the court.

The court had on April 24 ordered the interim forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government following an ex parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026 filed by the EFCC.

The properties are alleged to be linked to Sylva, who previously served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and include residential and commercial buildings situated in Maitama, Wuse II, Garki, Mpape and Dakibiyu in Abuja.

Justice Egwuatu had also directed the EFCC to publish the interim order in two national newspapers and allow interested parties 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.

At Monday’s proceedings, the court noted that several parties had filed affidavits to challenge the forfeiture, while legal representatives appeared for different property interests across the listed assets.

Counsel to the EFCC informed the court that six parties had submitted responses, while no claims had been made regarding three of the properties listed for forfeiture.

The unclaimed assets include a 10-unit block of flats in Wuse Zone 4, a six-unit block of flats at Mubi Close, and a standalone duplex located at Nile Lake, Maitama.

However, the court observed that a motion seeking final forfeiture of the unclaimed properties had not yet been properly placed before it, raising procedural concerns.

Justice Egwuatu further ordered the EFCC to ensure proper service of all pending motions, file a report of compliance on the interim order, and publish the motion on notice in accordance with earlier directives.

The judge also directed the anti-graft agency to respond to all filings submitted by parties contesting the forfeiture process before adjourning the case to July 16 for compliance hearing.

Also read: Tinubu Admits Economic Hardship and Security Challenges in Nigeria

The case continues to draw legal scrutiny as parties contest ownership and procedural adherence in the ongoing proceedings.