Alleged N19bn fraud: Ex-gov Sylva reclaims 48 houses from EFCC

A former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has retrieved 48 of his properties seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, The PUNCH has learnt.

Our correspondent, who visited some of the properties, located mostly in highbrow areas of Abuja such as Wuse II and Maitama, observed that some of the inscription ‘EFCC, Keep Off’, on the gates or fences of the properties, had been wiped off the buildings while some of the buildings had been rented out.

Our correspondent, who posed as a prospective tenant, was informed that the rent for the properties ranged between N2.5m and N6m per annum.

Our correspondent was informed that the 16 units of service apartments at Plot 1181 Thaba Tseka Crescent, off IBB Way in the Wuse II area of the Federal Capital Territory, cost N6m per annum including a N1.5m service charge. The building provides seven hours of power supply from a generator.

Our correspondent observed that one wing had been painted while the other was under reconstruction.

A guard at the property said, “When the EFCC sealed off this property, it was rotting away. However, it was re-opened a few months ago so we started to refurbish the property. We have repainted the property and we have started renting the apartments out.”

October 3, Punch

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