ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties linked to Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to the Federal Government on April 24, 2026.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the ruling following an ex parte motion moved by Oluwaleke Atolagbe, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Okay News reports that Justice Obiora Egwuatu directed the forfeiture of the assets suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The affected assets are located across high-value areas in Abuja. These include four blocks of terraces at Dakibiyu, a duplex with a penthouse and office complex at No. 3, Niger Street, and a standalone duplex at Villa 1, Unit 1, Palm Springs Estate, Mpape.
Other properties include a block of 10 units of flats at No. 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 4, and a block of flats with six units of flats at No. 1, Mubi Close, Garki. The order also covers two blocks with 12 units of flats at Plot 1181, Thaba Tseka Crescent, Wuse II, and a standalone duplex at No. 18, Nile Lake, Plot 1271, Maitama.
A two-block building currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency, located at No. 5, Aguta Street, Garki, is also included in the schedule. The enrolled order for these forfeitures was sighted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: An interim order of this honourable court is made 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,” Justice Obiora Egwuatu said.
The court directed anyone interested in the properties to appear within 14 days to show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be made. Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the request that the publication of the order be made in two national newspapers within seven days of the receipt of the certified true copy.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed the application in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026 under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. The matter was adjourned until May 25, 2026, for a report of compliance.
