A former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva who is currently at large has sank deeper in trouble with the Nigerian authorities as investigations around him have taken another level.
This is as Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties traced to the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to the Federal Government.
The judge ordered after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oluwaleke Atolagbe, moved an ex parte motion to that effect.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Egwuatu gave the ruling on April 24, but the enrolled order was seen on Wednesday, May 6.
Sylva was recently mentioned in an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The affected assets are in high value areas in Abuja.
They include four blocks of terraces at Dakibiyu; a duplex with penthouse and office complex at No 3, Niger Street, MStreet; one standalone duplex at Villa 1, Unit 1, Palm Springs Estate, Mpape; and a block of flats with 10 units of flats at No 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Others are blocks of flats with six units of flats at No. 1, Mubi Close, Garki, Abuja; two blocks with 12 units of flats at Plot 1181, Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; one standalone duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama, Abuja;
The ninth property is a two block building occupied by National Information Technology Development Agency and is located at No. 5, Aguta Street, Garki, Abuja.
The judge said: “It is hereby ordered as follows: An interim order is made by this honourable court forfeiting the properties listed in the schedule attached herein being properties suspected to be proceeds of some unlawful activities pending the publication and hearing of the motion on notice for final forfeiture order of the said properties.
“An order of this honourable court is made directing the publication of the interim order under order (1) above for anyone interested in the property to appear before this honourable court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Justice Egwuatu further granted the EFCC’s prayer that the publication of the order shall be made in any two of the following newspapers: Thisday, Guardian, PUNCH, Vanguard, Tribune or Independent Newspapers in seven days from receipt of the certified true copy of the order.
The judge then adjourned the matter to May 25 for a compliance report.
In suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, the commission filed the application under the relevant sections of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Atolagbe, who moved the motion, sought an interim order forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government pending publication and hearing of the motion on notice for a final forfeiture order of the said properties.
He said the properties were suspected to be proceeds of some criminal activities.
The lawyer urged the court to direct the anti-graft agency to publish the order in any national newspaper for anyone who is interested in the properties to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.
