By Ayomide Otitoju
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted over alleged involvement in a $14.86 million fraud case.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said Sylva is being sought in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
According to the EFCC, the funds in question were part of an investment made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
The Commission revealed that it had obtained a warrant for Sylva’s arrest from the Federal High Court in Lagos on November 6, 2025. The order, issued by Justice D. I. Dipeolu, authorized “the applicant or any officer of the Commission, police, or any law enforcement officer to arrest the respondent for the purpose of bringing him before the Commission to answer to the criminal offence he is alleged to have committed.”
The EFCC urged members of the public with credible information on Sylva’s whereabouts to report to any of its zonal offices nationwide, the nearest police station, or other security agencies.
As of the time of filing this report, Sylva has not released an official statement responding to the EFCC’s declaration.
