More trouble for the former government, Sylva, when the court ordered the temporary confiscation of nine properties

The former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva who is currently at large, is increasingly getting into trouble with the Nigerian authorities, as the investigation against him has escalated to a higher level.

This comes as Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the temporary forfeiture of nine properties linked to the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to the Federal Government.

The judge issued the order after Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel Oluwaleke Atolagbe filed an ex parte motion.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that although Justice Egwuatu delivered the judgment on April 24, the registered order was visible on Wednesday, May 6.

Sylva was recently named in an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.

The affected assets are located in high-value areas of Abuja.

These include four terrace blocks at Dakibiyu; duplex with penthouse and office complex at No. 3, Niger Street, MStreet; one self-catering duplex at Villa 1, Unit 1, Palm Springs Estate, Mpape; and a block of flats with 10 units at No. 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

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Another is a block of flats with six flats at No. 1, Mubi Close, Garki, Abuja; two blocks with 12 flats at Lot 1181, Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; one self-contained duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama, Abuja,

The ninth property is a two-block building currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency and is located at Jalan Aguta No. 5, Garki, Abuja.

The judge said: “It is hereby ordered as follows: A temporary order of this honorable court is made to confiscate the properties listed in the schedule attached hereto, as the properties which are alleged to be the proceeds of some unlawful activity await the promulgation and hearing of a motion on notice of final confiscation order on said properties.

“The order of this honorable court is made directing the issuance of an interim order under order (1) above for any person interested in the said property to appear before this honorable court to show reasons within 14 days why a final order of confiscation should not be made in favor of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Justice Egwuatu also granted the EFCC’s request for publication of the order in the following two newspapers: Today, Guardian, PUNCH, Vanguard, Tribune or Independent Newspapers within seven days of receipt of the original certified copy of the order.

The judge then adjourned the matter until May 25 for a compliance report.

The Commission has, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, filed an application under the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act, 2006.

Moving the motion, Atolagbe sought a temporary injunction, handing over the property to the Federal Government pending publication and hearing of the motion regarding notice of final forfeiture order on the property.

He said the property was suspected to be the result of several unlawful activities.

The lawyer urged the court to direct the anti-corruption agency to publish the order in any national newspaper so that anyone interested in the property can show reasons within 14 days why a final order of confiscation should not be made in favor of the Federal Government.