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 granted the order after hearing an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The court ruled that the properties, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, should temporarily revert to the Federal Government pending the determination of a motion for final forfeiture.

Justice Egwuatu also directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in at least two national newspapers within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the ruling.

The publication is expected to invite any interested parties to appear before the court within 14 days to explain why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the government.

The matter was adjourned until May 25 for a compliance report.

Counsel to the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that the anti-graft agency had reasonable grounds to suspect that the properties were acquired through unlawful means.

According to court filings, the affected assets are located in several high-value districts within Abuja, including Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Mpape and Dakibiyu.

The properties reportedly include multiple terrace blocks in Dakibiyu, a duplex with a penthouse and office complex on Niger Street, a duplex at Palm Springs Estate in Mpape, and a 10-unit apartment block in Wuse Zone 4.

Other assets listed in the application include a six-unit apartment building in Garki, two residential blocks containing 12 flats in Wuse II, a standalone duplex in Maitama, and a two-block structure in Garki currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency.

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

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