Former Governor of Bayelsa state Timpriye Sylva has faulted the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over seizure of
his properties saying he owns no “48 properties anywhere in the
world.”
According to a letter issued by his lawyer Benson Ibezim & co, the
ex-governor only owns three properties in Abuja and that those
properties were bought before he became the governor of Bayelsa
state.
Part of the letter reads:
“In the first instance, Chief Timipre Sylva is not having 48 properties anywhere in the world. The three properties he has in Abuja had been secured by an order of court granted by F.C.T. High court and the Attorney General of the Federation and EFCC have been duly served since the 27th day of December, 2012.
“It must be observed that we became aware of the interim order of
attachment granted to EFCC on 4th day of January, 2013 as same
was attached to the court process that was served on us by EFCC
on the said 4th January, 2013.
“It is elementary knowledge of law that a party can only be bound
by an order of court upon service of the court order on the party.
Chief Timipre Sylva was not aware of the existence of any order of
Federal High court against him as none was served on him.
“It is worthy to note that the Attorney General of the Federation and EFCC were duly served with the order of F.C.T. High Court on the
27th day of December, 2012.
Rather than obeying the order of court, EFCC in flagrant disregard
to the order of court are taking steps in respect of the properties by writing to the occupants of the properties covered by the order of court.
“EFCC being a creation of law is expected to be law abiding and are
advised to have respect for the order of court of FCT High court of
27th day of December, 2012 regarding the properties covered by
the court order.
“It should also be mentioned that when Chief Timipre Sylva became
aware of the sinister plan of EFCC to humiliate him by throwing him
out of his house that was bought before he became the Governor of
Bayelsa state, we wrote a letter to the Attorney General of the
Federation and the Chairman of EFCC.
“Till date both of them did not response to the said letters.
“ We seriously frown at the practice of media trial and
commendation without getting to the root and substance of the
facts. Trials are done in Courts of law and not on the pages of
newspapers where the general public is fed with all manner of
falsehood, including imaginary 48 houses.”
The EFCC had on Friday, January 4 announced the seizure of 48
houses belonging to the ex-bayelsa governor.
According to EFCC, properties allegedly own by Sylva in Abuja is as
follows:
• A mansion at No. 3 River Niger Street; Plot 3192 Cadastral
Zone AO, Maitama District Abuja;
• Nine units (comprising six one bedroom and 3 two bedroom
apartments) at No.8 Sefadu Street Wuse Zone 2;
• Plot 262 Cadastral zone AO2, Wuse Abuja;
• 2 units of Duplexes at No.5 Oguta Street;
• Plot 906 Cadastral Zone Wuse 11 Abuja.
• A Duplex at Plot 1271 Nike Street Cadastral Zone AO5,
Maitama District Abuja;
• A Duplex at Phase 1 Unit No. 1 (Villa 1) Palm Springs Gold
Estate;
• Cachez Turkey Projects Limited, Mpape-Abuja;
• No.10 units of one room apartments at No.8 Mistrata Street
• Plot 232 Cadastral Zone Wuse 11 Abuja;
• 5 units of Duplexes at Plot No. 1070 Dakibiyu District
Cadastral Zone B10, Abuja;
• 16 units service apartments at Plot 1181 Thaba Tseka
Crescent, Off IBB Way, Wuse 11, Abuja
• 3 units of three bedroom flats at No. 1 Mubi Close,
• Plot 766. Cadastral Zone A01, Garki-Abuja .

SOURCE: africanexaminer