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

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order following an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court also directed that the forfeiture order be published within seven days after receiving the certified true copy of the ruling. The case was adjourned to May 25 for a compliance report.

Counsel to the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that the properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful activities.

The properties, located in Abuja’s highbrow areas including Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Mpape, and Dakibiyu, include four blocks of terraces in Dakibiyu, a duplex with a penthouse and office complex on Niger Street, a standalone duplex at Palm Springs Estate in Mpape, and a 10-unit block of flats in Wuse Zone 4.

Others listed in the court documents include a six-unit block of flats in Garki, two blocks containing 12 flats in Wuse II, a standalone duplex in Maitama, and a two-block structure in Garki reportedly occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The EFCC filed the application under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, seeking temporary forfeiture pending further investigation and legal proceedings.

Sylva, who previously served as governor of Bayelsa State, has also been linked in reports to an alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, although no formal charges have been filed against him over the allegation.