The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to the Federal Government.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and moved by its counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe.

The ruling, delivered on April 24 but sighted on May 6, affects properties located in choice areas of Abuja, including Dakibiyu, Wuse, Garki, Mpape, and Maitama.

The affected assets comprise four blocks of terraces at Dakibiyu; a duplex with penthouse and office complex on Niger Street; a standalone duplex at Palm Springs Estate, Mpape; a 10-unit block of flats in Wuse Zone 4; a six-unit block in Garki; two blocks of 12 flats in Wuse II; a duplex in Maitama; and a two-block building in Garki currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.

In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu held that the properties were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and ordered their temporary forfeiture pending the determination of a motion for final forfeiture.

The court further directed the EFCC to publish the order in at least two national newspapers within seven days, inviting any interested party to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026 and filed under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, has been adjourned to May 25 for a report of compliance.