Court rejects EFCC’s bid to seize Sylva’s properties

Former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva

An Abuja Federal High Court on Thursday rejected moves by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to seize 48 property allegedly belonging to former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva.

The court held that the request amounted to an abuse of court process as the former governor was being prosecuted over a related charge in a sister   court.
In December 2012, the EFCC had, through an ex parte motion, applied for a temporary order of forfeiture of the 48 property.
The court, presided over by Justice A. R. Mohammed, granted the EFCC leave to sustain the action but also ordered the anti-graft agency to put Sylva on notice.
After listening to the submissions of EFCC counsel, John Anaeto, and Sylva’s lawyer, Benson Ibezim, the court reserved its decision till Thursday, July 11, 2013.
Justice Mohammed held that it was an abuse of the court process for the EFCC to bring an action before him which is related to a charge before a sister court for which Sylva is currently standing trial.
He therefore refused to extend the temporary order granted the EFCC to seize the 48 property.

PUNCH