EFCC secures interim forfeiture of former minister Timipre Sylva’s Abuja properties

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a federal high court order for the temporary forfeiture of 9 properties allegedly linked to a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

The order was granted by Obiora Egwuatu on April 24 after the EFCC filed an ex-parte application seeking interim seizure of the assets pending the determination of a final forfeiture application. Details of the ruling were made public on Wednesday.

In his decision, the judge held that the listed properties, which are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, should be temporarily forfeited to the Nigerian government until the court hears and determines the motion for final forfeiture.

The court further directed the anti-graft agency to publish the order in two national newspapers within 7 days of obtaining the certified true copy. The publication is intended to notify any interested parties, who will have 14 days to appear before the court and justify why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.

Counsel to the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that the assets are believed to have been acquired through unlawful means. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, was instituted under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt files 13-count charge against Sylva, Gana, other alleged coup plot suspects

The properties, all located in Abuja, include 4 blocks of terrace buildings in Dakibiyu, a duplex with a penthouse at No. 3 Niger Street, and a detached duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape. Other assets listed are a 10-unit block of flats at No. 8 Sefadu Street and a building in Garki currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.

The matter has been adjourned to May 25 for further proceedings.

Alleged coup d’etat

In a different matter concerning alleged coup d’etat, the Nigerian government earlier instituted a 13-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against 6 individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, over allegations bordering on a plot to wage war against Nigeria and commit acts of terrorism.

The defendants, including Retired Major General Mohammed Gana, Retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

Mr Sylva is also named in the charge but is reportedly at large. Filed on Monday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the charge sheet includes allegations ranging from treason and terrorism to money laundering and failure to disclose security-related intelligence.

Prosecutors alleged that the accused persons conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state” with the intent of overpowering the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code, The Punch reported

They are also accused of having prior knowledge of an alleged treasonable plan involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but allegedly failed to report it to security authorities.

READ ALSO: EFCC marks Abuja properties linked to Malami for forfeiture, posts ‘keep off’ notice

According to the charge, the defendants did not notify either the President or any peace officer, nor did they take steps to prevent the alleged offence despite having relevant information.Beyond treason-related allegations, they are also charged under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The prosecution claims they conspired to commit acts of terrorism within Nigeria.

Specifically, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were alleged to have attended meetings connected to the purported plot aimed at advancing a political ideology that could destabilise the country’s constitutional order.

The defendants are further accused of providing direct or indirect support that allegedly facilitated terrorist activities, as well as withholding critical intelligence that could have prevented the alleged offences.