A federal high court in Abuja has frozen nine properties believed to belong to Timipre Sylva, who served as petroleum minister. Justice Obiora Egwuatu signed the interim seizure order on April 24.
The EFCC filed the motion to temporarily take control of the assets. They suspect the properties were obtained through illegal activities.
"An interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting the properties listed in the attached schedule, being properties suspected to be proceeds of some unlawful activities," Egwuatu ruled. He noted the seizure would last until a final forfeiture hearing concludes.
The court gave the EFCC seven days to publish the order in two national newspapers. Interested parties will then have 14 days to appear in court and object.
Oluwaleke Atolagbe, the EFCC's counsel, argued the properties came from unlawful sources. He presented evidence during the ex-parte hearing without the defendant present.
Sylva's alleged assets are scattered across Abuja in high-value locations. Four terraced buildings sit at Dakibiyu, while another property stands at Niger Street with a penthouse attached.
A standalone duplex is located in Palm Springs Estate at Mpape. A ten-flat building occupies No. 8 Sefadu Street in the capital.
Among the seized properties is a building in Garki currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency. The court charged under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.
Suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026 will return to court on May 25. That's when the judge will hear arguments for the permanent forfeiture of these assets to the federal government.
