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 an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257.
According to a public notice issued by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the funds in question were reportedly part of an investment by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
The notice reads:
“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa State, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257. This is pursuant to a warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025.”
The Commission urged anyone with information on Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its zonal offices across the country or report to the nearest police station.
This development comes weeks after Sylva denied reports linking him to an alleged coup plot, describing the claims as politically motivated attempts to smear his reputation.
In a statement released by his media aide, Julius Bokoru, the former minister maintained that he has no connection to any subversive activity and remains a committed democrat loyal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The allegations are entirely false and malicious. Chief Timipre Sylva has no link to any coup plot. His political record has always reflected dialogue, peace, and democratic values,” Bokoru said.
The EFCC’s latest declaration has sparked renewed public debate about the agency’s ability to pursue high-profile corruption cases to their logical conclusion.
