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 $14,859,257 fraud.
In a statement issued on Monday, Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, said the case concerns allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion 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 commission said Sylva, 61, who hails from Brass Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, is wanted pursuant to a warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court on 6 November 2025.
“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa State, is wanted by the EFCC in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257,” the statement read.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission through its zonal offices nationwide, or via 08093322644, info@efcc.gov.ng, or the nearest police station,” Oyewale added.
The development follows recent reports that military personnel raided Sylva’s residence in Abuja in connection with an alleged coup plot under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Multiple security sources confirmed that a “special military team” searched the former governor’s home in the Maitama district after intelligence reportedly linked him to secret meetings with detained military officers.
“Sylva, who is believed to have left the country, was mentioned repeatedly in the course of investigations,” a senior security source told newsmen. “His brother, identified as Paga, was arrested during the operation, which also extended to his Bayelsa residence.”
Reacting to the development, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, denied reports that his principal had fled Nigeria.
Bokoru said the former minister was abroad for a routine medical check-up and a scheduled professional engagement.
He also condemned the army raid, saying the property sustained extensive damage. “Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. The officers did not provide any explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently,” he said.
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