By: Sunday Ameh
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted over alleged involvement in a $14.8 million fraud.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, Sylva is wanted in connection with alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of funds belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The funds, according to the anti-graft agency, were injected into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery but were allegedly misappropriated.
“The public is hereby notified that TIMIPRE SYLVA, a former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 — part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery,” the statement read in part.
Oyewale further disclosed that Sylva, 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and that the notice followed a warrant of arrest issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025.
The EFCC urged anyone with useful information on the whereabouts of the former minister to contact its offices in any of its zonal commands nationwide or report to the nearest police station.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices, or through 08093322644, its email address: [email protected], or the nearest Police Station,” the EFCC added.
This latest development comes days after reports surfaced that Nigerian Army operatives raided Sylva’s residence in the Maitama area of Abuja over an alleged link to a purported coup plot under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Sources revealed that a “special military team” carried out the operation after intelligence linked the ex-governor to secret meetings with detained military officers. His brother, identified as Paga, was reportedly arrested during the raid, which also extended to Sylva’s residence in Bayelsa State.
Reacting to the raid, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, denied claims that the former minister fled Nigeria to avoid arrest. He stated that Sylva was abroad for a routine medical check-up and professional engagement.
Bokoru further condemned the raid, saying security operatives caused severe damage to the property without providing any official explanation or authorisation.
“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. The officers did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently,” he said.
The EFCC’s declaration marks another major chapter in the anti-corruption agency’s ongoing clampdown on politically exposed persons accused of financial crimes.
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