EFCC declares ex-petroleum minister Timipre Sylva wanted over $14.8 million fraud allegation

By Kunle Sanni –

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 case.

The anti-graft agency made the announcement in a public notice shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, signed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale.

According to the statement, Sylva, 61, is being sought in connection with alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257. The funds were reportedly part of an amount injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery project.

The EFCC said the declaration followed a warrant of arrest issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025.

“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion,” the statement read in part.

His declaration comes months after multiple Nigerian media outlets, including Sahara Reporters, reported that military operatives—suspected to be from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the Nigerian Army—raided Sylva’s residences in Abuja’s Maitama district and in Bayelsa State. The operation was allegedly linked to investigations into claims that the former minister had financed a plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Although the military has not officially confirmed the reports, the EFCC, in its public notice, appealed to members of the public to provide any information on Sylva’s whereabouts. The agency urged anyone with relevant details to contact its offices in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, or any of its zonal commands nationwide. It also listed a hotline — 08093322644 — and an email address — [email protected] — for useful tips.

Sylva, a prominent political figure from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under President Muhammadu Buhari and was the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa election.