A Federal High Court in Abuja has re-scheduled hearing in a case by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking the forfeiture nine property linked to Bayelsa former Gov. Timipre Sylva.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, on Monday adjourned further proceedings in the case till July 16 after EFCC’s lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, announced his client’s inability to file a report of compliance with an earlier interim order granted by the court.
Justice Egwuatu had, on April 24, granted the EFCC’s ex-application for forfeiture of the nine property linked to Sylva to the Federal Government.
The application is marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026. The affected assets are said to be located in high-value areas in Abuja.
The judge ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in any two newspapers within seven days from the date of its receipt of the certified true copy (CTC) of the order, to enable interested person(s) to show cause, within 14 days, why a final order of forfeiture should not be made.
He then, adjourned till May 25 for a report of compliance.
On Monday, some lawyers appeared for persons claiming to own some of the affected assets.
Benson Ibezim appeared for persons claiming to own the property listed by the EFCC as item one and nine in a schedule attached to its application.
They are four blocks of terraces at Dakibiyu and two blocks building at Garki, currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.
Alex Ejiesieme (SAN) represented those interested in the houses listed as two and five (a duplex with penthouse and office complex at Maitama and eight units of one bedroom flat at No. 8, Misratah Street, Wuse II, Abuja).
Ajayi Olowo announced appearance for those interested in a property listed as item seven (two blocks with 12 units of flats at Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II) in the schedule.
Emmanuellla Imonikeh appeared for those seeking to claim the property listed as number three, “one standalone duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape.”
No one has however, shown interest in the houses listed as numbers 4, 6 and 8 in the schedule.
They include block of flats with 10 units of flats at Wuse Zone 4; block of flats with six units of flats at No. 1, Mubi Close; and one stand-alone duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama respectively.
Atolagbe told the court that his client has filed a motion on notice for the final forfeiture of the three properties (in respect of which no one has shown interest) to the Federal Government.
He said one of the parties who have indicated interest in the affected property has been served with the motion for final forfeiture.
Atolagbe said his client complied with the court’s earlier order for the publication of the interim forfeiture order in two newspapers, but that he was yet to file an affidavit of compliance.
Justice Egwuatu directed Atolagbe to publish the motion on notice seeking final forfeiture of the three houses the way he published the earlier order.
The judge equally directed the lawyer to the EFCC to serve the parties, who were yet to be served and file his report of compliance on the earlier interim order in the interest of fair hearing.
Justice Egwuatu, who ordered Atolagbe to respond to the documents filed by the interested parties, adjourned till July 16 for a report of compliance.
