Our attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), announcing the seizure of a number of properties alleged to be owed by Chief Timipre Sylva, former Bayelsa State Governor.
1. The claims by the EFCC are completely misleading. Not surprisingly, this style is in line with EFCC’s known bully-boy tactics and media hysteria.
2. The houses in question do not belong to Sylva.
3. Sylva’s property is intact and fully covered by the order validly issued by Justice M.M. Kolo of the Abuja High Court on 27 December 2012. Sylva had applied to the court for “an interim order of court for the service of the originating process on the respondent to serve as a stay of all actions in respect of the properties – plot no 262, Cadastral Zone A02, Wuse 1, District, Abuja, plot 3192, located within Cadastral zone A06 Maitama District, Abuja, plot 232, Cadastral Zone A07,(No. 8 Mistrata Street; Wuse II, Abuja) – by the respondents, their agents, privies, representative or any other person deriving his/her authority from them; either by sealing off, confiscating, ejecting any person from the properties, trespassing into the properties or doing any other thing how ever so described relating to the said properties pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.” This application was granted and hearing in the matter is fixed for 04 January 2013.
4. Justice A.R. Mohammed never granted any temporary asset forfeiture order to the EFCC on 21 December 2012. Rather he directed EFCC to put Sylva on notice and the substantive matter is fixed for 10 January 2013.
5. EFCC as a creation of the law cannot be seen to be acting lawlessly, and with impunity.
DOIFIE OLA
Media Adviser to Chief Timipre Sylva
