EFCC DECLARES TIMIPRE SYLVA WANTED OVER $14.8 MILLION FRAUD ALLEGATIONS
By Emeka Amaefula
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, wanted over allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
According to the EFCC, the funds were part of an investment package by the NCDMB into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery project in the Niger Delta region. Investigators allege that the funds were dishonestly converted, prompting a Lagos State High Court to issue a warrant of arrest for Sylva on November 6, 2025.
The EFCC, in its public notice signed by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity, urged anyone with information about Sylva’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station, any of its zonal offices across the country, or contact the commission directly via 08093322644 or email info@efcc.gov.ng.
“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,”
— EFCC statement.
Sylva’s Media Aide Denies Allegations
Reacting to the development, Julius Bokoru, media aide to Timipre Sylva, dismissed the allegations as “baseless and politically motivated.”
Bokoru stated that his principal is currently abroad on a medical check-up and professional engagement, describing the EFCC’s move as an attempt to “embarrass and distract” the former minister from his ongoing political and private commitments.
According to him, “Chief Sylva has not been on the run. He has always made himself available for legitimate inquiries and has never been invited formally by the EFCC on any such allegation before this sudden media declaration.”
Background on the Case
Timipre Sylva, aged 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He previously served as Governor of Bayelsa State (2007–2012) and later as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (2019–2023) under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The current case reportedly stems from financial transactions between the NCDMB and private partners aimed at advancing local content participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Sources within the EFCC allege that the diverted sum, $14,859,257 (approximately ₦23.4 billion), was misappropriated under the guise of project financing.
The EFCC emphasized that the wanted declaration is part of its ongoing nationwide anti-corruption drive targeting public officials and corporate entities involved in economic and financial crimes.
As of press time, Sylva has not responded publicly beyond his aide’s statement, while the EFCC has reiterated its commitment to bring him before the court for prosecution.