Dare Babalola
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted in connection with an alleged $14,859,257 fraud.
This was contained in a statement by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity for the EFCC on Monday.
According to the statement, Sylva, who is also a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources is wanted for Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of funds that were injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
The commission noted that Sylva, 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The notice follows a November 6, 2025, warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court.
The statement read, “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.
“Sylva, 61, is from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This notice is pursuant to a November 6, 2025 warrant of the Lagos State High Court.
“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 e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies,” Oyewale added.
Recently, some Nigerian Army personnel raided the Abuja residence of Timipre Sylva, in connection with the alleged coup plot. The former minister was absent during the raid.
However, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, Sylva dismissed claims that he fled the country to evade questioning, clarifying that he has been abroad for a routine medical check-up and a professional engagement.
Bokoru added that the former minister’s Abuja home suffered significant damage during the raid, adding that no clear reason or authorisation had been provided by the security personnel involved.
