The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned further proceedings in the asset forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against nine properties linked to former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, until July 16.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date after counsel to the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that he had yet to file a report of compliance with the interim forfeiture order earlier granted by the court.
Justice Egwuatu had, on April 24, ordered the interim forfeiture of the nine properties to the Federal Government after the EFCC filed an ex parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026.
The properties are allegedly linked to Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
In granting the interim order, the court also approved the EFCC’s request to publish the order in two national newspapers within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the ruling, directing interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The properties, located in various parts of Abuja, include residential and commercial buildings situated in Maitama, Wuse II, Garki, Mpape, and Dakibiyu.
The case had earlier been adjourned to May 25 for a compliance report.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, Benson Ibezim appeared for parties linked to properties listed as numbers one and nine in the EFCC schedule.
The properties include four blocks of terraces located in Dakibiyu and two blocks of buildings in Garki currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.
Alex Ejiesieme (SAN) represented parties seeking to show cause in relation to properties listed as numbers two and five in the schedule.
The affected properties include a duplex with a penthouse and an office complex in Maitama, as well as eight one-bedroom flats located at No. 8 Misratah Street, Wuse II, Abuja.
Ajayi Olowo appeared for the property listed as number seven, described as two blocks containing 12 units of flats situated at Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II.
Emmanuela Imonikeh represented parties connected to the third property listed as “one standalone duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape.”
During proceedings, Atolagbe informed the court that about six parties had already filed affidavits to show cause regarding some of the properties.
He, however, stated that no person or organisation had shown interest in the remaining three properties listed in the schedule.
The unclaimed properties, listed as numbers four, six, and eight, include a 10-unit block of flats in Wuse Zone 4; a six-unit block of flats at No. 1 Mubi Close; and a standalone duplex located at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama.
The EFCC lawyer further disclosed that the commission had filed a motion on notice on May 22 seeking a final forfeiture order for the three unclaimed properties on the basis that no party had contested the interim forfeiture order.
The court, however, observed that the motion had not yet been entered into the court file.
Responding to questions from the bench on whether all parties who had shown cause were served with the motion, Atolagbe said only one party had so far been served.
He also stated that the commission complied with the court’s directive by publishing the interim forfeiture order in Punch and Tribune newspapers, although he admitted that an affidavit of compliance had not yet been filed.
Following the submissions, Justice Egwuatu directed the EFCC to publish the motion seeking final forfeiture of the three unclaimed properties in the same manner as the interim order.
The judge also ordered the EFCC counsel to serve all parties yet to be served and file a report of compliance relating to the interim forfeiture order to ensure fair hearing.
Justice Egwuatu further directed the commission to respond to all processes already filed by parties contesting the forfeiture proceedings before adjourning the matter until July 16 for a report of compliance.
