Ex-governor of Bayelsa state Timipre Sylva has recovered 48 houses seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The Punch reports.

The properties were seized by the commission and sealed following an allegation of N19bn fraud.

The properties are located in choice areas in Abuja such as Wuse II and Maitama.

At one of the recovered properties located at Plot 1181 Thaba Tseka Crescent, off IBB Way in the Wuse II area of the Federal Capital Territory, comprising of 16 units of service apartments.

The annual rent for an apartment is 6m with a service charge of 1.5m.

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.”

The properties were seized from Sylva during the administration of former president, Goodluck Jonathan.

The EFCC accused Sylva of stealing Bayelsa state funds worth N19.2bn.

In a statement by its spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, Sylva stole the funds during his time as governor between 2007 and 2011.

The statement read, “The EFCC on Thursday, January 3, 2013, took possession of 48 properties of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timpre Sylva, who is being prosecuted at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

“The interim forfeiture order to attach Sylva’s property was granted by Justice A. R. Mohammed on December 21, 2012.

“Assets belonging to the former governor, against which a forfeiture order was obtained by the EFCC, include a mansion at 3 River Niger Street, Plot 3192 Cadastral Zone AO, Maitama District, Abuja; nine units (comprising six one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments) at 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse, Zone 2, Plot 262 Cadastral Zone AO2, Wuse, Abuja, and two duplexes at 5, Oguta Street, Plot 906 Cadastral Zone, Wuse II, Abuja.

“Others are a duplex on 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; 10 units of one-room apartments at 8 Mistrata Street, Plot 232 Cadastral Zone, Wuse II, Abuja; five units duplexes on Plot No 1070 Dakibiyu District, Cadastral Zone B10, Abuja; 16 units service apartments at Plot 1181 Thaba Tseka Crescent, off IBB Way, Wuse II, Abuja, and 3 units of three-bedroom flats at No. 1 Mubi Close, Plot 766 Cadastral Zone A01, Garki, Abuja.”

Sylva was charged before three Federal High Courts in Abuja.

The cases were struck out by all the courts as the judges accused the EFCC of abusing court processes.